What is Pelagic Zone?
The Pelagic zone also called the Oceanic Zone (for oceans) or the Limnetic Zone (for lakes and ponds), is part of the open water mass not associated with any landmass. It is the water column that constitutes the vast oceans and lakes that are not in contact with the shores (littoral zone) or the bottom (benthic zone) and are far from the continental shelf.
It is the largest inhabited ecosystem in the world. With a volume of 1,370,000,000 cubic kilometres (330,000,000 cubic miles) and a vertical range of 11,000 metres (36,000 feet), it is the largest inhabited environment on Earth.
Pelagic Zone
The pelagic zone is the open ocean’s water column, which extends from the surface to the bottom. Another name for it is the wide ocean. The phrase “open sea” (pélagos) in Ancient Greek is where the word “pelagic” originates. The five depth zones that make up the pelagic zone each have unique marine life and environmental characteristics.
The pelagic zone consists of pelagic zone animals and plants. In this article, we will study the definition of the pelagic zone, the different layers of the pelagic zone, the flora and fauna found in the pelagic zone, the human impact, and its conservation.
Table of Content
- Definition of the Pelagic Zone
- What is Pelagic Zone?
- Sub-Zones of Pelagic Zone
- Flora of the Pelagic Zone
- Pelagic Zone Animals
- Human Impact and Conservation
- Conclusion: Pelagic Zone