They release enormous
quantities of oxygen
needed
by animals for respiration. Every square metre (10 square feet) of prairies
produces 10 litres (18 pints) of oxygen a day ; twice as much as is produced
by the same area of tropical rain- forest! This supply of oxygen is of great
importance, especially in bays and inlets where there is relatively shallow,
calm water.
They
act as egg-laying sites and as a general refuge
for
many animals, some of which become firmly attached to the plants.
They
consolidate the sand of the sea-bed
because
of their resistant, far reaching rhizomes. They prevent the erosion of the sea-bed
by currents for this reason, and this in turn provides protection for the beaches
and shores.
They
produce a large number of leaves
that
decompose naturally, thus enriching the sea with materials which can be utilized
by other plants and animals.
