Plant growth, such as roots growing in cracks, has little influence on mechanical weathering. T/F explain?

Question

Plant growth, such as roots growing in cracks, has little influence on mechanical weathering. T/F explain?

Answer 1

False - it has a lot of influence

Proof (3 of them for you)

"Plant roots: Plants are incredibly effective agents of mechanical weathering. Roots can penetrate cracks in rocks to depths of several meters. As the roots grow they place a tremendous amount of hydrostatic pressure on the walls of the cracks."

http://people.hofstra.edu/j_b_bennington...

"As the plant continues to grow and send down roots, it will work its way into the rock and eventually make the crevice grow in size. Eventually the plant's roots may actually tear the rock apart."

http://science.jrank.org/pages/7358/Weat...

"Root-Pry: Plant roots growing in the cracks of rocks can make the crack larger, and may loosen other types of rock material." [this site a good diagram as well]

http://bellnetweb.brc.tamus.edu/res_grid...

Answer 2

False.

This is called root pry or root wedging.

Plant roots growing in the cracks of rocks can make the crack larger, and may loosen other types of rock material.