Question

Littoral zone is found along
A. High mountain
B. Sea
C. River
D. Desert

Answer 1

The littoral zone is a type of ecosystem. It is characterized by the presence of abundant water motion, , nutrients, dissolved oxygen and alternating intervals of submergence and exposure.

Complete answer:
The littoral zone is a near-shore area of lakes, and is an important interface between the pelagic zone and the terrestrial ecosystem. The physical structure, the local nutrient processing, and the habitats of the littoral zone is influenced by the basin morphometry of lakes, surrounding topography and geology, and the wind patterns. The littoral zone responds to influences of nature and humans in the terrestrial ecosystem as an interface, and likewise interacts with the profundal and pelagic zones. The biotas that use the littoral zone show these interactions.
Many vertebrates (e.g., waterfowl, mammals) and invertebrates (e.g., insects, snakes etc.) use both the terrestrial ecosystem as well as the littoral zone for habitat and food. Biota that are commonly assumed to reside in the pelagic zone, including fish (planktivores and piscivores) and zooplankton often rely heavily on the resources from the littoral zone. Since, the littoral zone is important for many industrial and recreational purposes, it gets hugely affected by human activities that increase nutrient loading, cause acidification, climate change and spread invasive species, and produce increased fluctuations in the water level.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: The types of living things that inhabit the littoral zone depend to an extent on the degree of the zone’s exposure to wave action and the type of bottom. Generally, exposed sandy coasts develop sparse populations, mainly between tide lines, while few organisms inhabiting wave-swept rocky shores are firmly anchored to the substratum.