Haloseres & Saltmarshes Flashcards
What is a halosere?
An ecological succession that develops in a highly saline environment, nearly always found along coastlines. The most common type of halosere is a salt marsh.
+ of salt marshes
- > They provide a habitat for many rare and endangered animals.
- > They’re important coastal landforms that provide a natural method of defending a coastline from erosion.
- > Many salt marshes are SSSIs to protect them from being built on
- of salt marshes
- > They’re a nuisance to shipping as they usually form in places that are good for docks.
- > They grow uncontrollably
- > Fertilisers mix with water in salt marsh, leading to eutrophication.
What conditions are salt marshes likely to develop in?
Low energy, sheltered environments, e.g. behind a spit.
What is required for a salt marsh to form?
Large input of sediment form the sea and rivers, e.g. near a tidal flat. The low grad. of tidal flat means material is quickly deposited.
What is coastal accretion?
Sediment accumulation and elevation of tidal flat increases as a consequence.
What type of plant species are likely to develop on salt marshes?
Halophytic plants as they love salt and are capable of surviving submerged.
What are pioneer species?
Hardy natured and pioneer the growth on salt marshes.
Examples of halophytic pioneer species
Cordgrass (Spartina)
Glasswort (Salicornia)
How do plants aid the development of salt marshes?
Long cordgrass blades trap sediment which builds up a muddy substrate. Deep roots stabilise deposited sediment, aiding coastal accretion.
How do pioneer species help to change conditions of a salt marsh to allow more species to colonise?
Pioneer species help rapid elevation of salt marsh, meaning the environment will be submerged for less time so more species colonise.
