Salt Marsh Ecosystems and Functions

The video discusses estuaries, focusing on the Westport River, and highlights the importance of salt marshes as productive ecosystems. It explains the zonation of plants in salt marshes and their adaptations to varying conditions. The video also addresses the challenges salt marshes face due to human activities and climate change, emphasizing the need for conservation and resilience strategies.

What is an estuary?

• A partially enclosed coastal body of brackish water

• A type of desert

• A freshwater lake

• A mountain range

Why are estuaries considered productive ecosystems?

• They have no plant life

• They are isolated from the sea

• They support diverse plant and animal communities

• They are always dry

What role do salt marshes play in coastal protection?

• They dry up the coastal zone

• They remove all plant life

• They buffer wave action and trap sediments

• They increase erosion

Which plant is commonly found in the low marsh zone?

• Cactus

• Tall form of smooth cord grass

• Oak tree

• Pine tree

How often does the high marsh flood?

• Never

• Once a year

• Daily

• About twice a month

What is the marsh border?

• The area with no plant life

• The upland edge of the salt marsh

• A type of desert

• The deepest part of the ocean

Which plant is found in the marsh border zone?

• Oak tree

• Pine tree

• Cactus

• Marsh elder

What is a major threat to salt marshes?

• Increased rainfall

• Increased snowfall

• Rising sea levels

• Decreased temperatures

What is the purpose of the Westport River Watershed Alliance?

• To eliminate all plant life

• To develop resilience strategies for salt marshes

• To increase urban development

• To promote fishing

How do salt marshes help combat climate change?

• By increasing sea levels

• By sequestering carbon

• By reducing plant life

• By increasing carbon emissions