Plant root growth penetrates small cracks and crevices in rock and spreads them further apart with hydraulic action. Root growth can also lift rock, causing fracture to occur. Other plants can attack the surface of rock directly, extracting nutrients.
when plants and animals break/ decay there release chemicals from there bodies which breaks down rocks also the roots of plants sometime penetrate through the rock causing it to crack
In chemical weathering mosses and linches have been found to grow on rocks and release chemicals that dissolve minerals from rocks. roots from plants are able to invade cracks with in rocks and increase the size of the cracks. There are a number of trees and other plants that release acidic chemicals which can cause weathering of the rocks, minerals, and soil around them. Plants also can have an affect on the way water weathers rocks and soils, they can channel water in specific directions that cause greater weathering or they can lessen the impact of rain falling on the ground. They also affect wind speed and direction near the surface of the ground having an effect on weathering in arid regions of the world. If you have any other questions about weathering go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weathering
The Benthic Zone
most plants grow in the a-horizon
Provide support to weak plants
they cause it by their roots growing into rocks and breaking up the rocks. After the rocks have been broken up by trees and plants' roots, water and air will wash it away, and eventually dissolve it.
As plants grow, their roots can penetrate small cracks in rocks, causing them to break apart through a process called biological weathering. This can further lead to the rocks being broken down into smaller pieces and eventually forming soil. Additionally, the release of acids by plant roots during growth can also contribute to the breakdown of rocks.
Plants roots are surprisingly strong. They can break into rocks with there roots and break them apart.
Plants are the organisms which have roots and can crack rocks
to be honest in mechanical weathering plants grow their roots in the cracks of rocks. In chemical weathering plants grow their roots in the cracks of rocks, and the roots release acid that weathers away the rock.
plant roots grow into cracks in rocks
because the rocks are hard and the plants can't mack their roots to go throw them
Plants and roots play a role in weathering by physically breaking apart rocks as their roots grow and expand, causing root wedging. Additionally, plants secrete acids that can chemically weather rocks and minerals. Overall, the presence of plants and roots can accelerate weathering processes on rocks and contribute to soil formation.
Plants can break down large rocks into smaller pieces through a process called physical weathering. Plant roots can grow into cracks in rocks and expand as the plant grows, exerting pressure and causing the rock to break apart. This can help to create soil for the plant to grow in.
Certain plants are able to get their roots into cracks in rocks. As the plant grows, the thickening roots may force the crack to widen. That, and the expanding ice in winter, may crack the rock wide open.
Simple. The roots of a plant. Plants weather rocks by growing in small moist crevasses. As their roots expand the rock cracks. The process is very similar to the action of ice entering the crevasse or crack and freezing thus expanding the crack. Over time the rock fractures.
When roots grow on rocks, it is known as lithophyte or lithophytic growth. This adaptation allows plants to anchor themselves and absorb nutrients from the rock's surface.