benthos
1
9.9
Plants, animals, and other living things that live on the bottom of a sea, lake, or river
- noun
- /ˈbɛnθoʊs/
- Specialized
:
bentos
- Many species of benthos serve as a food source for larger fish in the river.
Examples
-
Benthos are relatively sedentary after settlement, often constrained to an area of only a few meters throughout their life, and they can be relatively long-lived, with lifespans of several months to a year for some species.
Academic text (2002) -
The benthos provide crucial nutrients to the aquatic ecosystem at the bottom of the lake.
-
Research shows that the health of the benthos is essential for maintaining water quality.
Compounds
Surface Forms
Etymology
Benthos comes from the Greek benthos meaning 'depths' or 'sea-bottom'. So benthos names the plants, animals, and environment that live on the 'bottom' of a sea, lake, or river.