Biological+weathering

Biological weathering is where a plants roots grow up or down then gets fatter and breaks of the rocks. It starts to crack the rock and breaks the rock off.Animals and plants can wear away rocks. This is called biological weathering. For example, burrowing animals such as rabbits can burrow into a crack in a rock, making it bigger and splitting the rock.

You can see weeds growing through cracks in the pavement. If you have gone for a walk in the countryside, you may even have seen bushes or trees growing from cracks in rocks or abanddoned buildings. This is because plant roots can grow in cracks. As they grow bigger, the roots push open the cracks and make them wider and deeper. Eventually pieces of rock may fall away.

People can cause biological weathering by walking on paths, Over time the paths wear away because the shoes are wearing it away.

Forms of weathering caused by the process of living organisms – e.g. the growth of roots or the burrowing of animals. Tree roots are probably the best agents of biological weathering as they are able of squeeze apart rocks by growing into cracks and joints. Plants also give off organic acids that help to break down rocks chemically



These pictures are of some trees that had weathered away the rock.

Biological - Biological means when something is caused by living things like us, animals, plants and trees.

Weathering - Weathering is when something starts to rott, dissolve and break off. e.g. When rocks have plant roots growing down into the rock it starts to grow bigger and crack the rock then the rock cracks off and the tree roots let off this organic chemical which destroys the rock chemically and helps the roots weather the rock away.

By Aimee & Alana