Nekton
(Redirected from Nektonic)
Nekton refers to the aggregate of actively swimming aquatic organisms in a body of water, able to move independently of water currents. Unlike plankton, which are primarily passive drifters, nektonic organisms have the ability to swim against water currents. This group includes a wide range of organisms, such as fish, cephalopods like squid and octopus, and marine mammals like whales, dolphins, and seals. Nekton are crucial components of the aquatic ecosystem, playing significant roles in the structure and function of marine and freshwater habitats.
Characteristics[edit | edit source]
Nektonic organisms share several key characteristics, including:
- **Mobility**: They possess the ability to move actively and with direction in the water.
- **Size**: Nekton range from small fishes to the largest animals on Earth, like the blue whale.
- **Location**: They inhabit various depths and areas of water bodies, from surface waters to the deep sea.
Ecological Role[edit | edit source]
Nekton play vital roles in aquatic ecosystems:
- **Predation**: They are often top or mid-level predators, controlling the population of plankton and other nekton.
- **Prey**: They also serve as prey for larger nektonic organisms, linking different trophic levels.
- **Nutrient Cycling**: Through their feeding and excretion, nekton contribute to the cycling of nutrients in aquatic environments.
Classification[edit | edit source]
Nekton can be broadly classified into three main groups:
- **Fish**: This is the largest and most diverse group, including species from various fish families.
- **Cephalopods**: This group includes active swimmers like squid, octopus, and cuttlefish.
- **Marine Mammals**: Including whales, dolphins, seals, and manatees.
Challenges and Threats[edit | edit source]
Nekton face several threats, including:
- **Overfishing**: Excessive fishing has led to the decline of many nektonic species.
- **Habitat Destruction**: Coastal development, pollution, and other human activities have degraded habitats.
- **Climate Change**: Changes in water temperature and chemistry affect the distribution and survival of nekton.
Conservation[edit | edit source]
Efforts to conserve nekton include:
- **Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)**: Establishing MPAs to safeguard critical habitats.
- **Sustainable Fishing Practices**: Implementing quotas and sustainable fishing methods to prevent overfishing.
- **Research and Monitoring**: Conducting research to understand nekton ecology and monitoring populations for conservation management.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD