Littoral Zone

Definition

The littoral zone refers to the shallow area of a body of water, such as a lake or pond, where sunlight reaches the bottom and supports plant growth. It is the zone closest to the shore.

Related terms

Limnetic Zone: This term refers to the open water area beyond the littoral zone, where sunlight penetrates but plants cannot grow due to its depth.

Profundal Zone: The profundal zone is located below both the littoral and limnetic zones. It is deeper and receives no sunlight, making it dark and devoid of plant life.

Benthic Zone: The benthic zone is at the very bottom of a body of water. It includes both sediment and organisms that live on or in it.