Term

euphotic zone

Term

The upper, illuminated zone of aquatic ecosystems: it is above the compensation level and therefore the zone of effective photosynthesis. In marine ecosystems it is much thinner than the deeper aphotic zone (below the level of effective light penetration), typically reaching 30 m in coastal waters but extending to 100-200 m in open ocean waters.

Synonyms:

Source:

EEA Glossary

Context:

Comment

Definition source publication

Allaby, 1994. Quoted by: European Topic Centre on Nature Conservation. 1998. EUNIS habitat classification. Final draft with further revisions to marine habitats. United Kingdom.

Publication year

1994

Definition source URL

http://glossary.eea.europa.eu/EEAGlossary

Organisation

Organisation full name

Allaby, 1994

Subjects