Salt Marshes and Sand dunes Flashcards
What do the roots of vegetation do? (sand dunes)
They bind the sand together and allow for the development of sand dunes
Sand gathers around obstacles on the…
strand line
Hardy plants are known as…
pioneer species which colonise small dunes
What do small dunes grow into?
larger yellow dunes as more sand accumulates
What happens as sand accumulates?
Plant diversity begins to increase
What happens after a series of plant changes?
A climax community is reached which is the end of succession, this would be Oak Woodland
What are salt marshes?
coastal wetlands that are flooded and drained by salt water brought in by the tides
Why are salt marshes marshy?
because the soil may be composed of deep mud and peat
What is peat made up off?
decomposing plant matter that is often several feet thick. It is water-logged, root-filled and spongy
Where do salt marshes most occur?
In middle to high latitudes
Where do salt marshes thrive?
Protected shorelines and are a common habitat in estuaries
What are salt tolerant plants known as?
Halophytes
Pioneer species such as green algae and eel grass can tolerate being submerged for…
11 out of 12 cycles in the tidal cycle. these roots reduce removal of sediment
What can pioneer species tolerate?
Moving sand and the heating of the sand in the summer. Without vegetation the sand would be removed by wind and waves.
How does marram grass stabilise the coastline?
It establishes a more developed root system as well as protection from wind erosion due to sheltering.
What do candidates also explain?
the role of mangroves in
stabilising coastal landscapes in tropical coasts and the role of vegetation in the
creation of spits/bars.
How can human actitvities protect the coastline?
Through the planting of marram grass and protecting vulnerable areas.
