PLANTS AND ANIMALS
18. Plants can cause mechanical weathering. The seed of a tree, bush, or other plant may sprout in soil that has collected in a cracked rock. As the roots grow, they ___, eventually breaking the rock into pieces.
19. Animals that ___, such as moles and prairie dogs also work to break apart rock and soil. They use their tiny claws to dig through rock to build burrows.
20. Other animals ___ above the ground, causing rock to eventually crumble.
Please help me!!!
18. mosses
19. burrow in the ground
i'm not sure about the answer for question 20
Sure, I'd be happy to help you with your questions!
18. As the roots grow, they exert pressure against the rock, which can eventually break the rock into pieces. This process is known as root wedging. The roots of the plant slowly expand as they grow, exerting pressure against the surrounding rock. Over time, this pressure can cause the rock to crack and eventually break apart.
19. Animals that burrow, such as moles and prairie dogs, contribute to the breakdown of rock and soil through their digging activities. These animals use their tiny claws to dig through soil and sometimes encounter rocks in the process. By continuously burrowing and moving soil around, they can contribute to the mechanical weathering of rocks. Their digging actions can also create tunnels and channels that allow water to penetrate the ground, leading to additional weathering processes like ice wedging.
20. Some animals, like certain types of lizards or birds, can contribute to the weathering of rocks by perching or nesting on them. This can lead to the gradual crumbling of the rocks beneath the animal's weight or actions. Over time, the repetitive perching or nesting activities can weaken the rocks, leading to their eventual breakdown.
I hope this explanation helps! If you have any further questions, feel free to ask.