tidal flats

Question 1

what is it?

Answer 1

coastal wetlands form in intertidal areas where sediments have been deposited by tides or rivers
-submerges 1-2 times a day
-usually barren, sand and mud

Question 2

significance

Answer 2

-nutrient cycles
-habitat for algae, crabs, fish, mollusks
-epipelic diatoms
-upward/downward migration with tide/light
-emersion: form biofilm and photosynthesize, food for grazers, suspension feeders, nematodes
-submersion: move into sediment use nutrients/divide, food for suspension feeders/fish
-food base for migratory birds and humans
-tourism - mudflat hiking
-shoreline stabilization
-enrich adjacent systems
-high biological productivity

Question 3

controls on distribution

Answer 3

-tide
-water movement (velocity, circulation, flow duration)