Aim: To understand a unique coastal environment: A salt marsh

1. What are salt marshes?2. Why are they special?

What is a salt marsh?

• Watch the video here.• What are they?• A salt marsh is an accumulation of mud and silt in a

sheltered part of the coastline. They usually form behind a spit (p167).

• Why are they special?• They support a unique ecosystem e.g. Plants that are

salt tolerant (plants that like a salty environment).

LO; To know what a Salt Marsh is and why they are special

Keyhaven Salt Marsh

Keyhaven Salt Marsh

Keyhaven Salt Marsh

Keyhaven Salt Marsh

How does a salt marsh form?

• Read the two paragraphs on page 167.

LO; To know what a Salt Marsh is and why they are special

Key terms……Copy these down into your exercise book

Pioneer plants First plant to colonise an area that has adapted to the living environment.

Vegetation Sequence of vegetation species succession that colonise an environment.

Accumulation Build up of material Species A group of living organisms made up of

similar individuals Colonise The establishment of a new species in an

area.

LO; To know what a Salt Marsh is and why they are special

Flow Diagram – salt marsh formationHave a go with your cards (don’t stick them onto your book yet!)

Mud and silt accumulate in a sheltered part of the coastline

Salt tolerant plants such as cord grass start to colonise the mudflats

The early plants like cord grass are called Pioneer plants

Its tangled roots help to stabilise the sediment and trap mud

Over time as rainwater washes out the salt, the decomposing plant matter improves the fertility of the soil

New plant species start to colonise the area

Over hundreds of years a secession of vegetation and plants develop. LO; To know what a Salt Marsh is and why they are special

Case Study: Keyhaven Marshes p168

• Rich natural habitat that supports rich diversity of wildlife.

Case Study: Keyhaven Salt Marsh

• Produce an information booklet on Keyhaven Salt Marshe for the local tourist office.

• It need to include the following features for tourists;1. How it is being conserved (1996)2. How it is being used sustainably in the area3. A map4. Photos 5. 5 point guide to protect the marsh on the tourists visit6. Wildlife species guide for the ornithologists.

• Good website;www.conservancy.co.uk/learn/wildlife/saltmarsh.htm

LO; To know what a Salt Marsh is and why they are special

Guide to Keyhave

nSalt Marshes

All you ever need to know about where this

amazing coastal ecosystem

How is it being conserved?

How is it being used sustainably?

Where is Keyhaven Salt Marsh?

How to Protect the marsh on your visit.

1. Don’t forget a lot of the plants are fragile so don’t go walking

on any! 2. Birds nest are ……