Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
benthos
noun
/ˈbɛnθəs/
Definition
Benthos refers to the community of organisms that live on, in, or near the seabed, or the bottom of a body of water.
Examples
- Benthos organisms play a crucial role in the aquatic ecosystem.
- The benthos of the lake showed a rich diversity of species.
- Scientists study benthos to understand the health of marine environments.
Meaning
It describes both the ecological habitat and the organisms that inhabit the sea floor.
Synonyms
- Sea floor organisms
- Bottom-dwellers
- Substratum life
