Chapter 13.5.1-13.5.2

Question 1

How do animals affect grasslands?

Answer 1

The presence of large numbers of grazing animals and frequent fires prevent the growth of tree seedlings and promote the spread of grasses.

Question 2

Define urbanisation

Answer 2

the growth and spread of cities

Question 3

What are three points about seagrass meadows?

Answer 3

• Covered by water all the time
• Bind the mud and provide shelter for young fish
• Produce organic matter (decomposing remains of plant or animal matter) that is eaten by marine creatures.

Question 4

What are three points about tidal flats?

Answer 4

• Covered by tides most the time
• Are exposed for short periods of the day (low tide)
• Provide a feeding area for birds and fish.

Question 5

What are three points about mangroves?

Answer 5

• Have pneumatophores (exposed root system of mangroves, which enables them to take in air when the tide is in) that trap sediment and pollutants from the land and sea.
• Change shallow water into swampland
• Store water and release it slowly into the ecosystem.

Question 6

What are three points about salt marshes?

Answer 6

• Are covered by water several times per year
• Provide decomposing plant matter - an additional source of food for marine life
• Have high concentrations of salt.