Neritic Zone Definition | Neritic Zone Animals & Plants

Neritic Zone Definition

What is the Neritic Zone?

The term neritic zone is used to refer to the nearshore ecosystem below the ocean’s surface. It is found at the boundary of the continental shelf and the deep ocean and is the area of water that extends from the shoreline to 200 meters deep. It is a shallower zone in the ocean, located near the coast, mudflats, and coral reefs.

The Neritic zone gradually transitions into the continental shelf, including the shore, bays, lagoons, and estuaries.

The Neritic zone is a shallow ocean area and the largest of the three zones in the ocean.   It is characterized by a high degree of mixing and turbulence due to waves, currents, tides, and wind.

The Neritic zone can be found from the shoreline to 200 meters deep. These types of zones are also called coastlines, shallow waters, areas near the shore, shore zone, or littoral zone.

It also has low salinity, is stratified, and circulates currents. The Neritic zone is a shallower area than the other two zones. The Neritic zone has low salinity, but there are some areas where it is fresh. The Neritic zone can be stratified.

Neritic Zone Animals

This zone is the home to many marine animals. The Neritic Zone is very important to those who live along the shoreline because it can provide them with sustenance. Fishing is a popular activity that people enjoy in this zone.

Species found in this zone are typically not dependent on either fresh or saltwater for survival. Examples include seagrasses, sponges, corals, crustaceans such as shrimp and crabs.

Neritic Zone Plants

The Neritic zone is the area of water that extends from the shoreline to about 200 meters deep. In this zone, sunlight penetrates down to the bottom, and there are a variety of plants that can survive in these conditions. These plants include seagrass, kelp, seaweed, and other algae.

Plants in this zone are typically rooted in rocks, boulders, or other hard surfaces.

Where Is the Neritic Zone Located?

The neritic zone is the underwater region, always near the coast up to around 200 meters in depth, where there is enough light to support photosynthesis. This means that the bottom of the ocean or sea usually has very little light. This is not always the case, though.

There are some places where there is light just under the surface of the water. In the neritic zone, there are many types of marine life, including algae, seagrass, crustaceans, corals, etc.

Characteristics of Neritic Zone & Ecosystem

• The neritic zone is the uppermost layer of water in the ocean, typically found below a depth of 200 meters.
• It is usually characterized by relatively warm temperatures and low salinity.
• This zone includes many productive fisheries and coral reefs
• The neritic zone is the shallow water where most life can be found.
• It is between the high-tide zone and the deep-pelagic zone. It is home to a variety of benthic life such as fish, rays, sea urchins, seaweed, and other marine plants.
• The neritic zone has different temperature variations that range from 2°

Neritic Zone Facts

• The Neritic Zone is the area of the ocean between the continental shelf and the deep sea.
•  It can be found in all oceans, but it’s most common in temperate or tropical regions.
• This zone extends from shore to a depth of 200 meters (650 feet) below sea level.
•  The Neritic Zone is home to many different marine life types, including fish, crabs, squid, octopuses, and various other invertebrates.
• The neritic zone is the middle layer of water in the ocean.
• It extends from shore to 200 meters deep.
• In this zone, sunlight penetrates, and photosynthetic organisms thrive.
• Fish and other animals also live in these waters.

Neritic Zone Temperature

The neritic zone is a subdivision of the oceanic zones and encompasses all waters between the coastlines and the continental shelf.  It extends from shore to about 200 meters below sea level, transitioning into the bathyal zone.

In this area, sunlight penetrates only to depths of around 200 meters due to water turbidity and lack of light-gathering organisms. Temperatures in this zone are typically 2°C – 4°C (35°F – 40°F).