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oligotrophic

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The definition of oligotrophic is a plant or animal that can live where there aren’t many available nutrients, or a body of water with low nutrient levels.

(adjective)

An example of an oligotrophic plant is a lichen.
An example of an oligotrophic environment is a lake with many fish and ample oxygen; but, with a low production of algae.

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See oligotrophic in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

designating or of a lake, pond, etc. poor in plant nutrient minerals and organisms and usually rich in oxygen at all depths

Origin: oligo- + trophic

Related Forms:

oligotrophy noun

See oligotrophic in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Lacking in plant nutrients and having a large amount of dissolved oxygen throughout. Used of a pond or lake.

Related Forms:

olˌi·gotˈro·phy (-gŏtˈrə-fē) noun

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