Plant succession

Question 1

What is plant succession?

Answer 1

The gradual directional change of the plant community overtime.

Question 2

Why are depositional landforms unstable?

Answer 2

-They are made of unconsolidated material
-They are dynamic as they loose material transported by waves, tides, currents and wind.

Question 3

How are depositional landforms stabilised by plant succession?

Answer 3

-Plants bind loose sediment together
-Their leaves/stems slow water and wind flow reducing erosion and encouraging further deposition.

Question 4

What is an example of positive feedback involving plant succession on sand dunes.

Answer 4

1. pioneer plants colonise and grow in salty, nutrient poor sand on an embryo dune.
2. Pioneer plant dies which releases nutrients into the soil.
3. Nutrients in the dune allow other plants to grow, replenishing more nutrients to the soil.

Question 5

Give an example of a pioneer plant. Explain why it is so advantageous for dune development.

Answer 5

Marram grass - it is tough and flexible so is resistant to aeolian transportation, reduces water loss through transpiration, can grow up to 3 metres deep, can tolerate temperatures of up to 60 degrees celsius.