Abiotic

Physical rather than biological; not derived from living organisms.

Anthropogenic

Relating to, or resulting from, the influence of human beings on nature (chiefly in relation to climate or environmental pollution).

Bathymetry

The measurement of the water depth of an ocean or other large body of water.

Benthic

Anything associated with or occurring on the bottom of a body of water.

Benthos

The flora and fauna found on the bottom, or in the bottom sediments, of a sea or lake.

Biogenic

Created or brought about by living organisms.

Biogeography

The study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time.

Biota

The plant and animal life of a region.

Biotic

Relating to, or resulting from, living organisms.

Geomorphology

The study of the origin and evolution of topographic and bathymetric features created by physical, chemical or biological processes operating at or near Earth’s surface

Geomorphometry

The science of quantifying the shape and texture of the Earth’s surface, without inferences about the underlying geological processes (see Geomorphology).

Habitat

The natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism.

NBHL

National Benthic Habitat Layer.

Substratum (plural Substrata)

The surface on which (or in which) an organism lives.