Salt Marshes and Mudflats Flashcards
mudflats and saltmarshes are …..
stores of sediment. many are semi permanent (thousands of years old)
required conditions for mudflats
low energy coastlines for deposition sea level consistent so doesn't upset equilibrium need protection estuarine environment sediment supply
pioneer species definition
the first plants that colonise an area, usually with special adaptations
flocculation definition
the deposition of particles of clay and mud sticking together so their combined mass makes them sink to the bottom of the estuary
how can sea level rise threaten salt marshes and mudflats
increased incidence of storms = increased flooding=destroyed salt marsh
changing temperatures and rainfall patterns may affect the tolerance of marsh species
storms create greater wave energy and more erosion- loss of sediment supply
tidal currents role in vegetation succession- first step and link to eelgrass
tidal currents slow and begin to deposit material may be encouraged by the growth of eelgrass in the area which further slow down the currents.
EXPLAIN VEGETATION SUCCESSION (hard)–
tidal currents slow w/ eelgrass
sediment deposited- uneven mudflat- then colonised by pioneer plant species (halophytes)
more vegetation grows- further colonisation
vegetation leafs and stalks die- builds up sediment level
increased mudflat level
mudflat levels rise so complex creek systems evolve
mudflat rises above sea level - new species such as rushes and reeds become established
these species are perennials as are trees such as adler and ash
succession is complete when there is species zonation
saltmarsh definition
is an area of coastal grassland that is regularly flooded by seawater
mudflats are created by …
the deposition of fine silts and clays in sheltered low energy coastal environments such as estuaries
