Salt marsh succesion

Question 1

A succession in salty water is called a

Answer 1

halosere

Question 2

The plants which are adapted to these conditions are called

Answer 2

halophytic plants

Question 3

Salt marshes often develop in estuarine areas because of:

Answer 3

A steady supply of sediment from the river
Shelter from strong waves

Question 4

In the estuarine environment fresh water and seawater mix
This causes

Answer 4

flocculation where clay particles stick together

The clay particles sink causing sediment to build up

Question 5

The deposited sediment is colonised by …………..which:

Answer 5

algae

Binds the sediment together

Increases organic matter

Traps more sediment

Question 6

The sediment builds up and is covered by the tide for less and less time
This allows other plants such as ………. grass to colonise

Answer 6

….cord

Question 7

The height of the sediment increases and is only covered by the highest tides
More plants colonise such as sea lavender and sea thrift
Saline levels…………

Answer 7

.decrease other plants colonise
This continues until a climax community is achieved

Question 8

Exam Tip
It is not sufficient to know that vegetation stabilises coastal environments through the action of the roots binding the soil and trapping more sediment. You need to understand the step by step process of succession in a halosere and a psammosere. This will allow you to outline the different species which colonise the areas at particular stages and explain how the stabilisation of the coastal environment is a gradual process.