epibenthos

 
Pronunciation: /ˌɛpɪˈbɛnθɒs/

noun

[mass noun] Ecology
  • the flora and fauna living on the surface of the bottom of a sea or lake.

Derivatives

epibenthic

adjective

Origin:

early 20th century: from Greek epi 'upon' + benthos 'depth of the sea'