The bottom habitat of lentic environments (lakes and ponds) is the depositional environment in the benthic zone. The benthic zone is the area where decomposition takes place. It is associated with abundant biological activity and very little oxygen. The dominant organisms are anaerobic bacteria.

Closely associated with the benthic zone is the profundal zone, which lies directly above the benthic zone but beneath the depth of light penetration (See H3.3). Although life in the lentic bottom zone is not abundant, it is still significant. These creatures have become adapted to conditions of soft mud and low oxygen.

Deep-water lakes are found throughout Nova Scotia. They are most common on the hard igneous and metamorphic bedrocks of the Atlantic Interior.

This Document Includes:

Formation
Physical Aspects
Ecosystem
Successional Sequence
Plants
Animals
Special Features
Distribution

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Additional Keywords:
meiofauna, bloodworms, chironomid larvae, annelids, clams, phantom larvae, crustaceans, rotifers, nematodes, protozoans, Lake Whitefish, Brown Bullhead, amphibians, salamanders, frogs

Associated Topics:

T8.1 Freshwater hydrology
T8.2 Freshwater Environments
T9.1 Soil-forming factors
T11.13 Freshwater Fishes
T11.16 Land and Freshwater Invertebrates

Associated Habitats:

H3.2 Open-water Lentic (Lakes and Ponds)
H3.6 Water's Edge Lentic (Lakes and Ponds)