Main ideas

• Wetlands are sources of lucrative harvests of wild rice, fur-bearing animals, fish, and shellfish
• Wetlands are highly dependent on the quantity and quality of water in their immediate area
• Wetlands serve as reproductive or feeding sites for some species, only if connected with other waterways
• Wetlands exist in freshwater rivers, streams and lakes and their floodplains 
• Wetlands can be found in diverse topographical settings, flat tidally inundated but protected areas
• Wetlands limit the damaging effects of waves, convey and store floodwater's  trap sediment and reduce pollution
• Wetlands are also known as “Nature’s Kidneys” because there able to reduce waves impacts, and pollution
• Wetland water levels can rise or fall in accordance with tides, precipitation, and runoff
• Most wetlands in these regions were created 8,000 to 12,000 years ago by the retreat of the glaciers
• It can serve as a feeding and reproductive ground when connected to another body of water
• Nitrogen can be turned into harmless gas by the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria found in wetlands
• Many regions in every state except Alaska , and Hawaii have been destroyed 

Summary

               Wetlands are more important than we think they are. They serve as reproductive/ feeding sites for some species. They also reduce wave impact and pollution. Unfortunately, only 6% of lands on earth are wetlands. As the years go by wetlands start to decrease. Incoming water can bring nutrients and sediment to make the system more productive. Many animals rely on wetlands for things such as, water, food, shelter, and reproduction areas. They are highly dependent on the quantity and quality of water in their immediate area, the limit of damaging effects of waves, convey and store floodwater's trap sediment, and reduce pollution.


Reaction/Reflection

              People don't realize the importance of wetlands to our ecosystem. We (humans) create more buildings that end up destroying the homes of animals and species instead. Wetlands provide for the animals with food, shelter, and a reproductive area. We do things to benefit ourselves, but don't realize the effect to the environment it will cause. Wetlands not only provide for the animals, but they provide for humans too. They prevent floods, and reduce pollution. I see how this would affect me personally since I love animals before they are made into food and would not want to see them become threatened with issues like the rise of construction. What we need to do is make people more aware about the situation of wetlands. With more people educated about the importance of wetlands we can be able to prevent more wetlands from being destroyed.


So what? :

• Wetlands provide shelter and food for animals
• They reduce flooding and pollution
• They’re beneficial to the earth
• Only 6% of Earth contains wetlands since humans are destroying them.

Says who? :  Jon A. Kusler, William J. Mitsch and Joseph S. Larson 


What if...?

 

 We didn't have any more wetlands; this would lead to more flooding, more pollution, and less shelter and food for the animals (Less plants and animals).


What does this remind me of? :

• This reminds me of The Lorax because the characters didn’t realize the true damage they were making and it all began with his construction of his company.