trophic
Of or relating to feeding and nutrition.
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Results for “trophic”
Ichthyological terms, not general ones.
trophic level
The hierarchical position of an organism within a food chain.
copiotrophic
Refers to bodies of water containing high levels of nutrients. Opposite of oligotrophic.
eutrophic
Having water rich in nutrients, thus promoting the growth of plants, especially algae.
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eutrophication
Hypertrophication; process by which addition of artificial or natural substances, such as nitrates and phosphates, to a body of water increases the concentration of dissolved nutrients, this in turn stimulating the growth of aquatic plant life, especially phytoplankton, and typically resulting in depletion of dissolved oxygen. Negative effects include reductions in populations of fishes and other organisms incapable of withstanding this hypoxia.
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oligotrophic
Refers to bodies of water containing few nutrients and supporting little in the way of plant life. Opposite of copiotrophic.
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algae
A large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms and including seaweeds, diatoms, and Spirogyra. They're photosynthetic, like plants, and the majority are aquatic.
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green water
Term used to describe water with a green-coloured, soupy appearance caused by an excess of phytoplankton in suspension, often as a result of eutrophication. Also known as an algal bloom.
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oligotroph
An organism able to live in oligotrophic environments.
phosphates
Any salt or ester of phosphoric acid. The presence or addition of excessive phosphates in aquatic ecosystems can have significant ecological effects such as eutrophication, and they are one of the primary contributors to algal growth in aquaria if allowed to accumulate. Conversely, they may be actively added to heavily-planted set-ups in the form of liquid or other supplements in order to encourage plant growth.