Definitions
- Describing organisms that live on the surface of the ocean floor. - Referring to creatures that inhabit the uppermost layer of sediment or rocks on the seafloor. - Talking about marine life that lives just above the benthic zone.
- Describing fish or other organisms that live on or near the bottom of the ocean floor. - Referring to creatures that inhabit the benthic zone, including the seafloor and the sediment layers beneath it. - Talking about marine life that lives close to the seafloor, but not necessarily on it.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe marine life that live near or on the ocean floor.
- 2Both words are used to describe the location of marine organisms.
- 3Both words are used in scientific contexts to describe marine biology.
What is the difference?
- 1Depth: Epibenthic refers to organisms that live on the surface of the ocean floor, while demersal refers to organisms that live on or near the bottom of the ocean floor.
- 2Habitat: Epibenthic organisms live on the surface of the ocean floor, while demersal organisms can live on or within the sediment layers beneath the seafloor.
- 3Adaptations: Epibenthic organisms are adapted to living in shallow waters with high levels of light, while demersal organisms may have adaptations for living in deeper waters with less light.
- 4Ecology: Epibenthic organisms play a role in the uppermost layer of the ocean floor ecosystem, while demersal organisms play a role in the benthic zone ecosystem.
- 5Fishing: Demersal species are often targeted by commercial fishing methods, while epibenthic species may be less commonly targeted.
Remember this!
Epibenthic and demersal are both terms used to describe marine life that live near or on the ocean floor. However, epibenthic refers to organisms that live on the surface of the ocean floor, while demersal refers to organisms that live on or near the bottom of the ocean floor. Additionally, epibenthic organisms are adapted to living in shallow waters with high levels of light, while demersal organisms may have adaptations for living in deeper waters with less light.
