What is the neritic zone?

The neritic zone refers to the area extending from the low-tide line to the edge of the continental shelf, typically characterized by shallow waters that are rich in nutrients and biodiversity. This zone supports a wide variety of marine life due to the abundant sunlight and the availability of nutrients that are often washed in from land. The neritic zone is an important area for fishing and marine resource management, as it includes productive habitats such as coral reefs, kelp forests, and other ecosystems that provide habitat for a diverse array of organisms.

The other choices do not accurately describe the neritic zone. The deep ocean floor is a separate ecological region that lies far beyond the continental shelf, while the surface layer of freshwater pertains to a completely different ecosystem, typically found in lakes and rivers. A coastal beach environment may be part of the coastal ecosystem but does not encompass the broader area defined as the neritic zone, which includes deeper water habitats along the continental shelf. Thus, option C accurately captures the definition and significance of the neritic zone in marine geography.