Benthos

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In oceanography, marine geology and biology, benthos are the organisms and habitats of the sea floor; in freshwater biology they are the organisms and habitats of the bottoms of lakes, rivers, and creeks. Animals belonging to the benthos are sometimes referred to as zoobenthos, while plants are referred to as phytobenthos

Benthos can be categorized according to size:

• macrobenthos, size > 1 mm
• meiobenthos, size < 1 mm and > 32 µm
• microbenthos, size < 32 µm

But also according to their living place:

• endobenthos lives in the sediment
• epibenthos lives on top of the sediment
• hyperbenthos lives just above the sediment

Benthic organisms play an important role as a food source for fish and some also for humans.

See also

• Benthic zone

 

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