A wetland is a distinct ecosystem that is inundated by water, either permanently or seasonally. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other landforms or water bodies is the characteristic vegetation of aquatic plants, adapted to the unique hydric soil. A hydric soil is defined by federal law to mean "soil that, in its undrained condition, is saturated, flooded, or ponded long enough during a growing season to develop an anaerobic condition that supports the growth and regeneration of hydrophytic vegetation.” Wetlands are considered the most biologically diverse of all ecosystems, and are home to many species of migratory and resident birds, reptiles and amphibians, fish, insects, and plants. In addition, they benefit us by storing floodwaters, filtering pollutants, and serving as a carbon sink. The southeastern region of the United States specifically was once home to expansive wetlands, but the Mississippi River Delta and coastal Louisiana have been disappearing at an astonishing rate. Since the 1930s, Louisiana alone has lost over 2,000 square miles of land, an area roughly the size of Delaware. Many factors have contributed to this collapse, including the construction of levees, dams, oil and gas infrastructure, shipping channels and canals, as well as the addition of invasive species. Furthermore, many researchers cite climate change and the resulting rise in sea levels and worsening storms as major contributors.
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