The wetlands ecosystems are an integral part of the natural world with “More than one-third of the U.S. federally threatened and endangered species live only in wetlands,” according to The U.S fish & Wildlife Service. The wetlands not only support life but also protect the land from erosion and potential flooding. Because the wetland ecosystems are so crucial to the environment, losing them would have adverse effects on the land in and around it.
Wetlands act as a barrier to potential flooding by slowing down the rate at which the water re-enters the stream channel. In areas where wetlands are gone flood peaks could reach up to 80%. Mr. Benjamin Rush, the AP Environmental science teacher at Green Hope, emphasized the role wetlands play in improving water quality. “Wetlands are good at controlling flooding, and they also do a good job at filtering pollutants.”
However, prolonged droughts prevent wetlands from functioning as natural filters or supporting aquatic life. Although the drought in the wetlands exists on a periodic cycle, recent drought periods are a growing concern that will demand attention in the future. These droughts are a threat to the natural habitats there, causing less oxygen to permeate the soil and leading to a loss in wild plant life. Big fish inhabiting the area are becoming vulnerable to the lack of oxygen meaning less of them are present in the wetlands.
“As it experiences more periods of drought we are losing some species,” said Mr. Rush. Longer drought periods make the soil become less oxygenated causing animals and plants that rely on that soil to perish. Larger fish, like the largemouth bass and the warmouth, require more oxygen from the water and shorter drought periods cause them to become vulnerable.
The National Library of Medicine discussed how soil that is less oxygenated would affect the surrounding species. “After flooding, the limited supply of oxygen in soil pore spaces is depleted rapidly by roots, microorganisms, and soil reductants.” When this occurs, the wildlife is living off a limited supply of water, taking in the water as soon as it comes and in some cases impairing the ability of plants to undergo photosynthesis. When the local wildlife passes, new species will move in, changing the structure of the ecosystem.
The structure of the wetlands is something that changes frequently, causing the dynamic of them to change almost completely. Both natural and man-made effects can cause structure change, which is entirely “dependent on the water,” according to Mr. Rush. When old species leave, new ones will come and take their place in the ecosystem, leading to a different structural hierarchy.
As the wetlands degrade so does the wildlife living there, whether it be because of human consequence or natural afflictions to the environment. Maintaining the environment around this area will not only help the animals but people who live close to the area as well. Because wetlands protect us from flooding and sustain wildlife, their loss t it would create worse environmental conditions in the future. Putting in place protective measures is crucial, especially if the drought periods continue to extend beyond their current rate.
