Wetlands
- Wetlands provide a habitat for many organisms, including migratory birds. They also serve as a sink for carbon dioxide.
- Wetlands are rapidly disappearing in the United States. Half of wetlands in every state, except for Hawaii and Alaska, has been destroyed.
- Scientists have trouble explaining the economical and ecological importance of wetlands to the public.
- Wetlands are generally defined as shallow-water systems, or areas where water is at the surface for some time.
- Wetlands are dependent on the quantity and quality of water the area around them.
- Barriers can prevent wetland plants and animals from migrating up and down gentle slopes.
- Decreased sediment from dams and reservoirs along rivers and streams actually threatens wetlands.
- Bill would require federal agencies to document 21 days of inundation, which is highly unrealistic because of water fluctuations.
A wetland is a type of biome that is quickly disappearing in the United States. They provide a habitat for many organisms, including aquatic creatures and birds. Wetlands have a big economical and ecological importance, but is not seen by the public often. Wetlands follow a very unpredictable process because it is very reliant on the amount of water in the area. Debates about management strategies that provide clarity for landowners while protecting the ecological features of wetlands is been rising. These debates is being taken out of the hands of the experts and being heavily simplified, setting unrealistic standards. It is also very expensive; predicting a rare flood can cost up to $870 million.
It's amazing how quickly wetlands are disappearing in the United States. They're clearly a large habitat for animals throughout the country and poses a serious problem if they are gone. Due to their unpredictable changes, building on or near a wetland isn't safe and needs to have some sort of regulation. But because scientists and the government have trouble deciding on the outcomes of wetlands unproductive proposal are being made. Something needs to be made soon because once wetlands are gone, we lose an entire biome and a large carbon sink, which is extremely important.