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Glite Dictionary
littoral zone

littoral zone

7.7
Area along the edge of a sea or lake that is often affected by water
  • noun
  • /ˈlɪtərəl zoʊn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : zona litoral
  • Floodwaters surge across the littoral zone, the interface of the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and stir up a life-giving brew of soil, plant material, and other nutrients.

Examples

  • The littoral zone is where fish gather to feed and reproduce near the shore.

  • Residential development leads to the removal of coarse wood from littoral zones (Christensen et al. 1996, Marburg et al. 2006).

    Academic text (2007)

  • At the height of the flood, he was studying littoral zone productivity on the Illinois River north of where it meets the Mississippi.

    Academic text (1993)

  • At each sampling location, we took one sample in the main body of the reservoir (limnetic zone) and another near the shore (littoral zone).

    Academic text (2018)

  • These results highlight the impact of residential development on lake food webs as mediated through alterations of coarse wood in the littoral zone.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Twelve sites were sampled in Sobradinho Reservoir (six in each of the limnetic and littoral zones).

    Academic text (2018)

  • Furthermore, the vegetated nearshore area (littoral zone) extends much farther in the gradually sloping V-shaped lakes.

    Academic text (2010)

  • During the summer, the littoral zone becomes a vibrant habitat for many species of wildlife.

  • Scientists often study the littoral zone because it is crucial for the health of aquatic ecosystems.

Synonyms

tidal zone
vslittoral zone
  • Specialized
1 4.2

An area of shore that the sea covers and uncovers with each tide

is a general water-influenced shore area, not limited to tidal change
litoral
vslittoral zone
1 9.9

The area where land meets the sea or a lake

is the standard spelling for the same coastal region
littoral
vslittoral zone
1 9.3

The part of the shore of a sea or lake between high and low water

is the broader shore area influenced by water rather than only the tidal strip
shoreland
vslittoral zone
1 3.4

Land next to water like a lake or sea

is the shore area defined by water influence rather than simply bordering water
nearshore
vslittoral zone
4.2

The part of the sea close to the land

is the landward edge affected by water rather than the sea area

Surface Forms

littoral zone singular
littoral zones plural

Morphology

littoral + zone

The overall meaning is directly derived from combining 'littoral' (situated on or next to the shoreline) with 'zone' (a region): it literally denotes the region next to the shore. This adjective+noun composition follows a straightforward, cross-linguistically common pattern and therefore would be understandable to a learner who already knows both constituents.

Etymology

The term littoral zone comes from an old word for the 'shore'; littoral means the land by the water and zone means an area. So it names the place right at the water's edge where plants and animals live.