Abstract
The world’s seas can be broadly divided into benthic (sea-bed) and pelagic (water-column) realms both of which can be further subdivided according to depth (Figure 2.1). The pelagic realm consists of oceanic and neritic provinces, the latter comprising the shallow (down to 100–200 m) coastal waters overlying the continental shelf. Although accounting for only a comparatively small proportion (c. 5%) of the world’s seas, neritic environments are often highly productive and many of the important commercial fisheries are located in these inshore waters. The euphotic (= epipelagic) zone is that part of the pelagic realm which is well illuminated. Its lower boundary varies according to the clarity of the water but is usually around 100–200 m. It grades into the aphotic zone which is permanently dark below about 1000 m.
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© 1985 Blackie & Son Ltd
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Boaden, P.J.S., Seed, R. (1985). The Neritic Province. In: An introduction to Coastal Ecology. Tertiary Level Biology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-8539-8_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-8539-8_2
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