Benthos are organisms that live on and in the bottom sediments of the Chesapeake Bay and its streams and rivers. Benthic communities are complex and include a wide range of animals, plants and bacteria from all levels of the food web.

Epifauna and infauna are both types benthic, or bottom-dwelling, organisms. Epifauna live attached to a surface and infauna live within the Bay’s bottom sediments.

An oyster reef is an example of a benthic community.