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The adaptations of salt marsh plants in response to the environmental conditions they encounter

The adaptations of salt marsh plants in response to the environmental conditions they encounter

The adaptations of salt marsh plants in relation to the environmental conditions they face within the salt marsh community were observed and recorded. Soil conditions and faunal presence was also noted.

The study was carried out in Westernport Bay at a salt marsh near Hastings in Victoria. A transect was run across the salt marsh with 2 metre by 2 metre quadrats placed 15 metres apart.

It was found that Avicennia marina (Forssk, Vierh) grew from 0 -15 metres while the growth of the other 9 species studied varied in response to the various environmental conditions. Salinity and field moisture content were large determining factors of their distribution. The adaptations that enabled the plants to survive within the salt marsh varied between species.

Introduction
Victorian salt marshes are highly diverse communities (Ross, 2000) that are dominated by herbs and low shrubs (Adam, 200...

Posted by: Jack Drewes

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