Question

What is the difference between the floodplain, meander, delta, and what ecosystem services do each provide?

Answer 1

These are some distinguished areas in ecosystems that help the humans immensely. Floodplain is area that lies low and is subjected to floods in regular periods making it reduce intensity of floods and improving the stability of the soil. This also improves water quality and ground water making the ecosystem suitable for flora and fauna. Meander unlike floodplain is a broad valley like which is with time develops with bends and helps the ecosystem by reducing the speed of river flow. Delta is the region that is formed around the vast water bodies because of the water flow or the lack of it. It helps the ecosystem by giving protection from natural calamities like floods and hurricanes.