salt marshes Flashcards
what is submersion?
when the tide comes in and out. more often and deeply, the species get submerged.
what is exposure?
if adapted with salty water, having exposure could harm species.
why do animals on the coast have to be versatile?
there is low salt content after heavy rain, it varies with tides and timings, therefore it has to be flexible.
what are pioneer species?
ecological competitors, competing with other species. more competition up the shore.
what are cheniers?
bags of gravel that are placed to prevent flooding. sea defence
why do animals migrate to the coast?
to graze and eat different things
what is zonation?
the distribution of plants or animals into specific zones according to such parameters as altitude or depth, each characterised by its dominant species.
how does the typical salt marsh zonation go?
mud flat > pioneer zone > lower marsh > middle marsh > upper marsh.
what is another examples of zonation?
moutains, due to temperature, soil distrubtuion, atutide and oxygen levels.
how many salt marshes were in Solent in 2001?
1,361
why are salt marshes important?
an important resource for natural coastal defence, biodiversity, landscape, sink for sediment and source of nutrients.
what coincides with the decline of salt marshes?
habitat loss, coastal squeeze, sea-level rise, erosion, reclamation, dredging (sediment was taken away), heavy metal and organic pollution, algal smothering, hybrid dieback, tidal inundation, changing wave climate, etc.
what is the percentage of UK land cover that is coastal margins?
0.6%
what is the total value of UK coast?
49 billion pounds in 2003.
why are ecosystem services important in Southampton?
the greatest financial value of tourism and leisure (cultural) and coastal defence. the location also important.
