Spartina goes through seasonal changes. How are these seasonal changes related to peat formation in the salt marsh? ____
a. As the Spartina begins growing in the spring, the roots have a difficult time growing through the peat layer, limiting the growth of the plants.
b. The Spartina plants must put down roots early in the spring, before toxic hydrogen sulfide begins forming in the peat layer.
c. In winter, dead Spartina breaks off and accumulates as mats of detritus, at least some of which will eventually end up incorporated into marsh peat .
d. When the marsh grass dies back for the winter, the roots holding the peat together also disappear, leaving the peat vulnerable to erosion by winter storms.