Salt marshes

Question 1

Where do salt marshes from and give specific examples?

Answer 1

areas of sheltered water

E.g. river estuaries or behind spits

Question 2

Stage 1 formation of salt marshes

Answer 2

Silt and mud are deposited by the river or tide, mudflats develop

Question 3

Stage 2 formation of salt marshes

Answer 3

Mudflats are colonised by vegetation that can survive the high salt levels and long periods of submergence by the tide

Question 4

Stage 3 formation of salt marshes

Answer 4

Plants trap more mud and silt and gradually create an area of marshland that remains exposed between tides