Yessica Pacheco

Wetlands Article
Main Points:
Wetlands are shallow-water systems or areas where water is at or near the surface for some time. Between the 1950s and the1970s more than nine million acres-an area equivalent to the combined size of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island were wiped out. Constant change makes wetlands ecologically rich. Some states have almost entirely lost their wetlands. The northern peat lands of Canada, Alaska and Eurasia, in particular, may help moderate climatic change by serving as a sink for the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. Wetlands limit the damaging effects of waves, convey and store floodwaters, trap sediment and reduce pollution the last attribute has earned them the sobriquet natures kidneys. Most wetlands along rivers and coastlines as well as those that formed in depressions in the landscape are long-lived precisely because of events that people consider economically devastating If scientists can better clarify and communicate to the public and to policymakers the special characteristics of wetlands as well as their economic and ecological importance, perhaps those that do remain will not disappear. Most wetlands in these regions were created 8,000 to 12,000 years ago by the retreat of the glaciers. The U.S. has lost over nine million acres of wetlands; this is equal to the state of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. It is estimated that only 6% of the world's land are wetland There are ecosystems currently that have an increased sediment influx due to the clearing of land, however there is no mechanism to flush the increased out

Yessica Pacheco

Water levels, soil and geologic information, and the immediate landscape are all part of preserving the wetland

The author's main point, is that wetlands are really important because they provide a habitat as well as spawning grounds for a variety of creatures and nesting areas for migrating birds. Some wetlands even perform a global function. Wetlands are a really important part of our ecosystem. Wetlands can do so much for us and are quite beneficial however it is only estimated that 6% of the Earth is actually wetlands. Wetlands can be found in a wide variety of topographical settings and can easily change one important thing, their water level. With the change in the water level there will come a change in the animals and plants. They are being destroyed for development, however there is much more than that going on. There are many animals and plants that depend on the wetlands for shelter, food, clean water, reproduction area and many more things. However wetlands are being destroyed left and right reducing the numbers of those species. Wetlands can do so much for us without us even realizing it. They make up part of natures cycle. They help the planet, animals, and us humans. The author wants us to protect the wetlands, and prevent them from disappearing. We need to all be aware of this issue and protect our planet, by saving wetlands. My reaction to this is that we need to do something about this because this is really important. I was really shocked to find out this information because I didnt even know what a wetland was, so I was even more shocked to realize what a huge impact they make on many more species. The fact that we are destroying them to build buildings and destroying many of animals home instead. We can't keep on losing more wetlands because they provide a habitat to many. Wets lands are really important for the ecosystem. Despite their value, wetlands are rapidly disappearing. In the U.S., more than half of these regions in every state except Alaska and Hawaii have been destroyed. We need to all make a difference and prevent more wetlands from being wiped out.

Yessica Pacheco

So What? I think that we have to do something about this because wetlands are a really important part of the ecosystem. They reduce impact of heavy waves, reduce flooding and shelter for plants and animals. We must make a difference and put a stop to wetlands being destroyed Says Who? Says Jon A. Kusler Williams J. Mitsch and Joseph S. Larson. Along with many people in the world do have studied this. What if... What if we didn't care about losing wetlands? What if we didn't do anything about it? We would lose all of the wetlands there are, and many habitats will be destroyed without them. There will be more flooding, more animal and plant density, less animals and plants existing. What does this remind me of? This topic reminds me of the ocean acidification lab. This reminds me of the ocean acidification lab because both topics have to do with saving an important part of the environment. Both of them will make a huge impact if they disappear.