Examine the role of vegetation in coastal development in the following habaitats.

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a) Sand dunes

b) Salt-marshes

Vegetation plays an important role in coastal development as it leads to the succession and development of coastal features such as sand dunes and salt marshes, which are important ecosystems, and both are becoming increasingly protected by their local councils to prevent them from diminishing (as is becoming an apparent trend) due to the interference of humans.

The Morfa Harlec sand dune system in North Wales (see map one) is a perfect example of the role in which vegetation has played in sand dune succession. Figure one shows the stages in succession over the sand dune ecosystem, which occur over a long period of time. The annotations show the situation at each sere in the succession, and how the environment has changed from what was once all unstable sand, and a very uninviting environment for any plant to survive in, let alone to thrive in.

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Figure three is a simplified diagram of succession, this seems to discount the role of vegetation in succession, suggesting that a system of succession can be the result of any type of sediment or little allowing sand to build up behind it. However, this is not completely the case. This is a beginning, as the pioneer species on the dune does need some form of shelter from the harsh winds, so as a small embryo dune begins to build up, Marram grass, blown on the wind, may take root here. Generally only one out of one hundred embryo dunes that begin to form are eventually successful, but once the Marram grass begins to spread across the dune, its roots hold the ground together making it more stable, and permanent.

Figure two shows the ways in which Marram grass has adapted so that it can thrive in the type of extreme environment that the embryo dunes pose. It grows quickly, so that it is soon well established, and has long lateral and horizontal roots for good anchorage so that it will not be torn up by the wind. The leaves are curled, with its pores facing inwards, so that there is little loss of rare water through transpiration, and so that the leaves are not damaged by the harsh sunlight and salt water on the wind.

As a Marram grass plant dies and begins to decompose, it is adding organic matter to the soil that was not there before, thus making it more fertile. The very presence of this grass on the embryo dune makes a sheltered area behind it, making an environment, along with organic matter, that is not as harsh as the embryo dune. This allows for another stage in succession, as other plants, albeit ones that still need a high salt tolerance, can now begin to take root in this more fertile environment. This continues onwards, more plants can live in the environment; more plants decompose when they die adding more organic matter to the soil. This then means that when it rains, instead of the water simply washing straight through the sand, it is retained within the organic matter, so the role of vegetation also had an impact on water retention, as well as changing the shape of the land, and adding more organic matter into the sand. As this continues, the ground begins to consist of increasing amounts of organic matter, until there is soon only a small proportion of sand to organic matter. Eventually, the initial habitation of Marram grass cases succession to the point where the seres reach their optimum vegetation, which is woodland, as can be seen in figure four, which is a cross section of the Morfa Harlec sand dune system.

Table one shows the adaptations of several plants, and how they have subsequently affected the environment that they inhabit, causing it to change, and, in this case, causing succession to occur.

This is proof of the large role that vegetation plays in coastal development. Without that initial habitation of Marram grass, that whole succession would not have occurred. Perhaps a small piece of debris would have caused a small embryo dune to develop, but it would soon have been blown away as it is too unstable. Vegetation holds the sand together with its roots, and when it eventually decomposes, adds organic matter to the soil, to give it some substance. Therefore, without this habitation of vegetation, sand dune succession would not occur, and the coastal environment would be deprived of this valuable and rich ecosystem.

Vegetation seems to play a role in the development of a variety of environments, depending on the situation in the area. Another habitat that forms as a result of vegetation is the salt marsh. This form of succession is an example of a Halosere, and develops where there are high concentrations of salt.

Salt marshes can develop in a variety of coastal areas. A commonplace where they are found is behind spits (see figure seven for information on how spits form). A spit provides a stable environment for a salt marsh to develop. (A spit is simply a build up of sand as a result of transport and deposition of longshore drift.) It shelters the marsh from prevailing winds and strong currents, and, as the term 'marsh' implies, still allows a large part of the vegetation to remain submerged in salt water, this again means that the vegetation must be very hardy, and adapted to such harsh environments, such as eel-grass (whose aquatic roots help to stabilise the silt and trap debris), marsh samphire and rice grass, which are predominant pioneer species of salt marshes.

Another area where salt marshes develop is near estuaries, where silt and mud are deposited. Initially the area is inhabited by a pioneer species (such as the ones mentioned above), which are adapted to survive long periods of time over which they will be immersed in water. However, as they begin to decompose, and also cause silt to gather, the level of soil begins to rise and the ground gets drier as it rises above the water level. It is then able to support a succession of plants, as figure five (a cross section through a salt marsh) shows. As can be seen in figure five, the optimum vegetation can be reached over a period of time (maritime forest) as a result of the succession that would not have been able to take place without the initial habitation of pioneer species of vegetation. This again is proof of the important role that vegetation plays in the development of coastal areas.

In America, up until the mid 170's, about 5% of salt marshes were drained, as they were thought to be wasteland that could be put to better uses. However, recently people are beginning to realise their value as an important and endangered ecosystem, and are beginning to ensure that they are protected, and prevented from being destroyed by human impact as they have been doing. This again, is another testament to the importance of vegetation in coastal development.

Overall, it seems that vegetation is a very important factor in coastal development. Without it, many important coastal ecosystems that develop as a result of vegetation succession would simply not exist, and the coastal environment would be deprived of their benefits completely. Humans are becoming more aware of the affects that their actions have on the coastal environment, and even in America, areas such as salt marshes are becoming increasingly protected. People are beginning to appreciate their value as eco-tourist attractions, although even this can have negative effects on the environment as a whole. Many local governments are simply fencing off whole areas of salt marsh and sand dunes, to prevent the delicate succession from being trampled by humans, and even other animals. Again, it is important to remember that these coastal features would no be here without the vegetation that develops there over a long period of time, and many types of coastal plant are also being named as protected species, as their importance in the development of coastal features is recognised. Please note that this sample paper on Examine the role of vegetation in coastal development in the following habaitats. is for your review only. In order to eliminate any of the plagiarism issues, it is highly recommended that you do not use it for you own writing purposes. In case you experience difficulties with writing a well structured and accurately composed paper on Examine the role of vegetation in coastal development in the following habaitats., we are here to assist you. Your cheap custom college paper on Examine the role of vegetation in coastal development in the following habaitats. will be written from scratch, so you do not have to worry about its originality.

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