W e t l a n d s and P r e s e r v e s
Appreciation of wetlands has grown in recent decades, and we now recognize their importance as part of a healthy environment. Such lands help regulate the watercycle by slowing and storing floodwaters. Wetlands stabilize shorelines, thushelping to prevent erosion. Wetlands also produce oxygen and help convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants and animals can use. By trapping nutrients and sediments, wetlands help maintain water quality. Some types of wetlands even filter out heavy metals, coliform bacteria, pesticides, and toxic chemicals that pass through the ecosystem.
Over 25 percent of the land area of Alaska, Florida, and Louisiana is wetlands - a larger percentage than in any other states. In Canada, Ontario and the Northwest Territories claim the largest percentage of wetlands. Concern about current development plans for these areas are constantly being reviewed and petitioned. (See more information)
Over 25 percent of the land area of Alaska, Florida, and Louisiana is wetlands - a larger percentage than in any other states. In Canada, Ontario and the Northwest Territories claim the largest percentage of wetlands. Concern about current development plans for these areas are constantly being reviewed and petitioned. (See more information)
Wetlands are classified broadly into two groups: estuarine (or coastal) and freshwater systems. Within these categories, many specific types of wetlands exist, including marshes, swamps, bogs, tidal marshes, prairie potholes, wet meadows, and similar transitional areas between aquatic terrestrial environments. Wetlands are among the world's most biologically productive ecosystems. They sustain nearly one-third of the nation's endangered and threatened plant and animal species; in 1990, the total U.S. figures were 392 endangered and 126 threatened animal and plant species, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Scientists believe that two-thirds of all saltwater fish and shellfish harvested annually in the U.S., as well as many freshwater game fish, use wetlands at some point in their life cycle. Wetlands serve as feeding areas, spawning grounds, and nurseries for young fish and shellfish. About one-third of all North American bird species require wetland habitats for their survival, some for year-round habitat and many for breeding grounds. Wetlands are also needed as areas in which to spend the winter or as feeding areas during migration.
Moose, for example, obtain the sodium they require for good health Four main "flyways", or waterfowl migration routes, follow the paths of rivers and cross wetland system in the U.S. Wetlands in Canada's prairie states support 60 percent of North America's waterfowl during breeding season, according to Environment Canada. Of the 10 million to 31 million waterfowl that nest in the lower 48 states, at least half reproduce in the prairie pothole wetlands of the Midwest and northern Great Plains states. Scientists have associated a long-term decrease in the populations of a number of waterfowl species with a loss of both U.S. and Canadian wetlands.
Nearly all of the approximately 190 species of amphibians in North America depend on wetlands, primarily for breeding. Common wetland-dependent mammals include beaver, muskrat, and moose. from aquatic plants.
Despite renewed efforts to protect wetlands, many have already been lost because of population growth, urban sprawl, and conversion to farmland. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that 117 million of the original 221 million acres of wetlands in the lower 48 states have been lost since colonial times. Twenty-two of the 50 states have lost at least half of their wetlands, mostly to agricultural conversion. The remaining wetlands amount to 104 million acres or just 5 percent of the entire land area of the lower 48 states; most of it (over 97 percent ) is freshwater wetlands.
The pace of wetlands loss has speeded up. Figures show an average yearly loss of 458,000 acres. California has lost the largest percentage of original wetlands; an estimated 5 million acres in the 1780's had fallen to less than 500,000 acres by 1990. Efforts are now under way to restore lost or damaged wetlands and to protect remaining wetlands.
(Information from Environmental Almanac, compiled by World Resources Institute )
World Health Organization’s Millenium Assessment Report
Wetlands deliver a wide range of ecosystem services that contribute to human well-being, such as water supply, groundwater and stream/river water purification, fish and fiber, climate regulation, control of pests and pathogens, renewal of fertile soil, control of floods, coastal protection, recreational opportunities, and, increasingly, tourism. Approximately 60% of the benefits that the global ecosystem provides to support life on Earth through these services are being degraded or used unsustainably and presents real challenges as well as opportunities for business.
In the World Health Organization’s Millenium Assessment Report, scientists warn that harmful consequences of this degradation to human health are already being felt and could grow significantly worse over the next 50 years.
“Human health is strongly linked to the health of ecosystems, which meet many of our most critical needs," said Maria Neira, Director of WHO's Department for the Protection of the Human Environment. "We in the health sector need to take heed of this in our own planning, and together with other sectors, ensure that we obtain the greatest benefit from ecosystems for good health - now and in the future."
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Scientists believe that two-thirds of all saltwater fish and shellfish harvested annually in the U.S., as well as many freshwater game fish, use wetlands at some point in their life cycle. Wetlands serve as feeding areas, spawning grounds, and nurseries for young fish and shellfish. About one-third of all North American bird species require wetland habitats for their survival, some for year-round habitat and many for breeding grounds. Wetlands are also needed as areas in which to spend the winter or as feeding areas during migration.
Moose, for example, obtain the sodium they require for good health Four main "flyways", or waterfowl migration routes, follow the paths of rivers and cross wetland system in the U.S. Wetlands in Canada's prairie states support 60 percent of North America's waterfowl during breeding season, according to Environment Canada. Of the 10 million to 31 million waterfowl that nest in the lower 48 states, at least half reproduce in the prairie pothole wetlands of the Midwest and northern Great Plains states. Scientists have associated a long-term decrease in the populations of a number of waterfowl species with a loss of both U.S. and Canadian wetlands.
Nearly all of the approximately 190 species of amphibians in North America depend on wetlands, primarily for breeding. Common wetland-dependent mammals include beaver, muskrat, and moose. from aquatic plants.
Despite renewed efforts to protect wetlands, many have already been lost because of population growth, urban sprawl, and conversion to farmland. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that 117 million of the original 221 million acres of wetlands in the lower 48 states have been lost since colonial times. Twenty-two of the 50 states have lost at least half of their wetlands, mostly to agricultural conversion. The remaining wetlands amount to 104 million acres or just 5 percent of the entire land area of the lower 48 states; most of it (over 97 percent ) is freshwater wetlands.
The pace of wetlands loss has speeded up. Figures show an average yearly loss of 458,000 acres. California has lost the largest percentage of original wetlands; an estimated 5 million acres in the 1780's had fallen to less than 500,000 acres by 1990. Efforts are now under way to restore lost or damaged wetlands and to protect remaining wetlands.
(Information from Environmental Almanac, compiled by World Resources Institute )
World Health Organization’s Millenium Assessment Report
Wetlands deliver a wide range of ecosystem services that contribute to human well-being, such as water supply, groundwater and stream/river water purification, fish and fiber, climate regulation, control of pests and pathogens, renewal of fertile soil, control of floods, coastal protection, recreational opportunities, and, increasingly, tourism. Approximately 60% of the benefits that the global ecosystem provides to support life on Earth through these services are being degraded or used unsustainably and presents real challenges as well as opportunities for business.
In the World Health Organization’s Millenium Assessment Report, scientists warn that harmful consequences of this degradation to human health are already being felt and could grow significantly worse over the next 50 years.
“Human health is strongly linked to the health of ecosystems, which meet many of our most critical needs," said Maria Neira, Director of WHO's Department for the Protection of the Human Environment. "We in the health sector need to take heed of this in our own planning, and together with other sectors, ensure that we obtain the greatest benefit from ecosystems for good health - now and in the future."
FairUse
top of page
Sustainable Life Info Copyright © 2005-2009 DLH Business Associates. All rights reserved
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BRIGHT MIND
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Half of US Wetlands Now Vulnerable Under Unwise Decision (June'06)
Millennium Assessment Update Report (June '06)
Millennium Assessment Update Report (June '06)