Wetlands Case

Biology 131L

“Wetlands” by Kusler et. al provides an overview of the ecological importance of wetlands as well as a presentation of the threats wetlands face in the United States. Wetlands are “shallow-water systems, or areas where water is at or near the surface for some time”. The biodiversity of wetlands is comparable to that of rainforests. They are referred to as “havens of biodiversity” which are central to the life cycle of many plants and animals some of which are already endangered. Some wetlands play a global role. The northern peat lands of Canada, Alaska, and Eurasia play a global role by serving as a sink for the greenhouse gas (Carbon Dioxide). Wetlands have commercial benefits as well by producing crops, fish, and shellfish.

Despite their great benefits, wetlands are rapidly diminishing. By 1970, the United States lost more than nine million acres of wetlands. The activities of humans are the number one threat to wetlands. Pumping of ground water disrupts the water cycle of wetlands causing them to diminish. Barriers also affect wetlands preventing animals from migrating up and down slopes which affects the maintenance of wetlands and hence their existence.

Policies should be enforced to protect wetlands from current human neglect and exploitation. People will continue building barriers such as dams on rivers) so coming up with a solution that satisfies all parties will be extremely difficult. The first step would be understanding the nature of wetlands and why the fluctuation of water levels is so important for them to exist.