limnetic zone

views updated

limnetic zone(sublittoral zone) The area in more extensive and deeper freshwater ecosystems which lies above the compensation level and beyond the littoral (lake-edge) zone. This zone is mainly inhabited by plankton and nekton with occasional neuston species. The limnetic and littoral zones together comprise the euphotic or well-illuminated zone. In very small and shallow lakes or ponds the limnetic zone may be absent.

More From encyclopedia.com