What is not dependent on sunlight as a source of energy?

-Benthic Zone?
-Pelagic Zone?
-Neritic Zone?
-Taiga?
-Tundra?

The Taiga and Tundra are not dependent on sunlight as a source of energy.

To determine which of the given options is not dependent on sunlight as a source of energy, we need to understand the characteristics of each option.

1. Benthic Zone: The benthic zone refers to the region at the bottom of a body of water, such as an ocean or a lake. This zone is typically dependent on sunlight indirectly, as sunlight penetrates the water and provides energy to support photosynthetic organisms, which form the base of the food chain.

2. Pelagic Zone: The pelagic zone refers to the open water column of a body of water, including both the shallow water near the shore (neritic zone) and the deeper offshore areas (oceanic zone). Generally, the pelagic zone relies on sunlight for primary production and serves as a habitat for numerous organisms that use photosynthesis or derive energy from photosynthetic organisms.

3. Neritic Zone: The neritic zone specifically refers to the shallow regions of the ocean that extend from the coast to the edge of the continental shelf. Similar to the pelagic zone, the neritic zone relies on sunlight for primary production and is dependent on photosynthetic organisms as a significant source of energy.

4. Taiga: The taiga, also known as the boreal forest, is a biome characterized by vast coniferous forests found near the northern hemisphere. The taiga depends on sunlight as a primary source of energy for photosynthesis, enabling the growth and sustenance of plant life.

5. Tundra: The tundra is a biome found in Arctic regions, characterized by low temperatures, short growing seasons, and permafrost. Although the tundra experiences extended periods of darkness during winter, it still relies on sunlight as a vital source of energy when it receives sunlight during the summer months, enabling photosynthetic activity for the limited growing season.

Based on the explanations above, the option that is not primarily dependent on sunlight as a source of energy is the "Taiga." While the other options (Benthic Zone, Pelagic Zone, Neritic Zone, and Tundra) all rely on sunlight as a crucial energy source, the taiga relies significantly on sunlight as well.