Littoral and limnetic zone are two different zones in the ponds or lakes. Ponds or lakes have several different zones. These zones divide the water column from top to bottom and side to side. These zones are the littoral zone, limnetic zone, profundal zone, euphotic zone, and benthic zone.
The key difference between littoral and limnetic zone is their location. Littoral zone is classified as the shallow, well-lit, uppermost part of a pond or lake that is close to the shore, while limnetic zone is classified as the well-lit, open surface waters of the pond or lake that is away from the shore.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Littoral Zone
3. What is Limnetic Zone
4. Similarities – Littoral and Limnetic Zone
5. Littoral vs Limnetic Zone in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Littoral vs Limnetic Zone
7. FAQ – Littoral and Limnetic Zone
What is Littoral Zone?
The littoral zone is also called a litoral or nearshore zone. It is the part of a pond or lake that is close to the shore. It is a shallow down-sloping shelf of a lake or pond. The littoral zone is a crucial component of healthy ecosystems and is protected by law. The littoral zone consists of the area of dry land that slopes into the open water. This zone sustains plant growth due to the abundance of sunlight for photosynthesis. Some common inhabitants of the littoral zone are cattails, reeds, crawfish, snails, insects, zooplankton, and small fish.
A primary function of a planted littoral zone is to absorb pollutants from water. These pollutants ultimately drain into canals and rivers. The littoral zone also has vegetation, which prevents shoreline erosion.
Figure 01: Littoral and Limnetic Zone
What is Limnetic Zone?
Limnetic zone is the open and well-lit area of a pond or lake. A major feature of this zone is that the floor cannot sustain plant growth due to a lack of sunlight for photosynthesis.
The inhabitants living in the limnetic zone include zooplankton populations, often consisting of copepods, cladocerans, and rotifers, which occur in the open water of lakes. The limnetic zone also includes insects and fishes. Furthermore, the limnetic zone functions as the primary habitat for planktonic species. As phytoplankton populations are densest in this zone, it is the zone most heavily responsible for oxygen production within the aquatic ecosystem.
Similarities Between Littoral and Limnetic Zone
- Littoral and limnetic zones are two different zones in the ponds or lakes.
- Both zones are well-lit.
- These zones have a wide variety of inhabitants.
- Both zones are very important for the ecosystem.
Difference Between Littoral and Limnetic Zone
Definition
- Littoral zone is the shallow, nearshore area of a pond or lake.
- Limnetic zone is the open and well-lit area away from the shore of a pond or lake.
Size
- Littoral zone is comparatively smaller.
- Limnetic zone is comparatively larger.
Sustaining Growth
- Littoral zone sustains plant growth due to the abundance of sunlight for photosynthesis.
- Limnetic zone cannot sustain plant growth due to a lack of sunlight for photosynthesis.
Organisms Living
- Plants, cattails, reeds, crawfish, snails, insects, zooplankton, and small fish are found in the littoral zone.
- Communities of zooplankton populations such as copepods, cladocerans, rotifers, insects, and fishes are found in the limnetic zone.
Function
- The primary function of a planted littoral zone is to absorb pollutants from water.
- Limnetic zone functions as the primary habitat for planktonic species and is also heavily responsible for oxygen production within the aquatic ecosystem.
This summarizes the difference between littoral and limnetic zone.
Summary – Littoral vs Limnetic Zone
Littoral and limnetic zones are two types of primary zones of a pond or lake. Both these zones are well-lit. However, the littoral zone is a shallow, well-lit, uppermost part of a pond or lake that is close to the shore, while well-lit, open surface waters of the pond or lake are away from the shore. In addition, the littoral zone contains well-rooted plant growth, while the limnetic zone does not contain rooted plant growth. This is the summary of the difference between littoral and limnetic zone.
FAQ: Littoral and Limnetic Zone
1. What are the 4 zones of a lake?
- The four zones of a lake are the nearshore littoral zone, open water limnetic zone, deep water profundal zone, and benthic zone or lake floor. These zones contain different conditions, such as the amount of light, food, and oxygen, which affect the organisms living there.
2. What animals live in the littoral zone?
- The littoral zone contains plants and is home to many familiar species of animals like clownfish, sharks, anemones, clams, lobster, crabs, penguins, and many more.
3. Who lives in the limnetic zone?
- Limnetic zone is inhabited by plankton and nekton with occasional neuston species. Therefore, this zone consists of species like copepods, cladocerans, rotifers, insects, and fishes.
4. In which lake zone would photosynthesis not occur?
- The profundal zone is the area in a deep lake where no light reaches, so photosynthesis is not possible in this zone. Some profundal zones can be completely devoid of oxygen, which results in few to no animals using this area of the lake.
5. What is the benthic zone?
- The benthic zone is the lowest ecological zone in a water body, which includes some of the sediment. These sediments play an important role in providing nutrients for the organisms that live in the benthic zone, such as bacteria and fungi, as well as larger invertebrates, such as crustaceans and polychaetes.
Reference:
1. “Littoral Zones.” Martin County. Board of County Commissioners.
2. “Limnetic Zone.” Encyclopædia Britannica, inc.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Primary zones of a lake” By Geoff Ruth – http://cafreetextbooks.ck12.org/science/CK12_Earth_Science_rev.pdf (page 484) (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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