Editing Benthos (section)

==Overview==
Compared to the relatively featureless [[pelagic zone]], the benthic zone offers physically diverse habitats. There is a huge range in how much light and warmth is available, and in the depth of water or extent of [[intertidal]] immersion. The seafloor varies widely in the types of [[Marine sediment|sediment]] it offers. [[Burrow|Burrowing animals]] can find protection and food in soft, loose sediments such as [[mud]], [[clay]] and [[sand]]. [[Sessility (motility)|Sessile species]] such as [[oyster]]s and [[barnacle]]s can attach themselves securely to hard, rocky substrates. As adults they can remain at the same site, shaping depressions and crevices where mobile animals find refuge. This greater diversity in benthic habitats has resulted in a higher diversity of benthic species. The number of benthic animal species exceeds one million. This far exceeds the number of pelagic animal species (about 5000 larger zooplankton species, 22,000 pelagic fish species and 110 marine mammal species).<ref name= Lalli1997>{{cite book | last1=Lalli | first1=Carol M. | last2=Parsons | first2=Timothy R. | title=Biological Oceanography: An Introduction | chapter=Benthos | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c6J5hlcjFaAC&q=%22Biological+Oceanography%3A+An+Introduction%22| publisher=Elsevier | year=1997 | pages=177–195 | doi=10.1016/b978-075063384-0/50063-3| isbn=9780750633840 }}</ref>