Why is marram grass important?
Why is marram grass important?
They are also important because they act like a high wall, preventing the sea from reaching our houses and crofts. Sand dunes sometimes move in storms but behind the beach they are held firmly together by plant roots. Marram grass likes to live in the sand where it spreads to make a prickly blanket.
How does Marram grass grow on dunes?
Marram grass develops deep and extensive rhizomes (roots) and produces dense clumps of grass, often up to a metre or so high, which dominate plant communities and entrap sand. It is more vigorous where sands are mobile, covering the plant and stimulating growth.
Why does Marram grass thrive in sand dunes?
Marram thrives in shifting sand. It has long root systems and survives when the wind naturally blows lots of sand on top of it, simply growing up through the new deposits.
Where is Marram grass found?
This native grass is frequently found around the UK’s coasts and beaches, especially in the south and west. It has tightly rolled, sharply pointed grey-green leaves, and produces large spikes of cream or pale yellow flowers in June.
Why does marram grass have curled leaves?
Marram grass has a rolled leaf that creates a localized environment of water vapour concentration within the leaf, and helps to prevent water loss. The stomata sit in small pits within the curls of the structure, which make them less likely to open and to lose water.
Why does marram grass thrive in sand dunes?
Why does marram grass need Xerophytic adaptations?
Like other xerophytes, marram grass is well adapted to its surroundings in order to thrive in an otherwise harsh environment. The natural loss of water through transpiration is not desirable in a very dry landscape, and marram grass has developed particular adaptations to help it deal with this.
How is marram grass adapted to survival?
The coastline is a difficult place for plants to survive, thanks to all the salt and crashing waves. Marram grasses have a special survival mechanism to cope with this: they catch drifting sand and build a dune, which enables them to eventually escape the effects of the sea.
How does marram grass adapt to its environment?
How is Marram Grass adapted to live in its environment?? Large thin walled epidermal cells, called hinge cells, at the base of the groove become plasmolysed as a result of excessive water loss through transpiration. This causes the leaves to roll, with the upper surface facing inwards. This reduces the leaf area exposed to the air and so
Why does marram grass have rolled leaves?
Like other xerophytes, marram grass is well adapted to its surroundings in order to thrive in an otherwise harsh environment. Marram grass has a rolled leaf that creates a localized environment of water vapour concentration within the leaf, and helps to prevent water loss.
What are some adaptations of marram grass?
Smaller leaves: Like needles,this reduces the surface area of the leaves .
