New England salt marshes experience a greater amount of plant growth in a given area in one year than any other temperate ecosystem. What characteristic do these salt marshes have?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Salt marshes have high levels of net primary productivity (NPP) due to nutrient-rich soils, high levels of sunlight, and water availability. These factors contribute to the rapid growth of plants such as cordgrass, which dominates salt marsh ecosystems. Therefore, choice C is the best answer. A is incorrect because salt marshes have high NPP. B is not necessarily true because while salt marshes may have high biodiversity, the prompt does not mention this as the defining characteristic. D is incorrect because salt marshes, like all ecosystems, have a finite carrying capacity.

New England Salt Marshes Experience a Greater Amount of Plant