What’s being done to restore wetlands?

Photo: As part of wetland restoration in New Jersey, teams intentionally added sediment. These additions to a degraded coastal marsh improved conditions for plant growth. Credit: Tim Welp/Christine VanZomeren

Wetlands are fun places to get muddy, enjoy the outdoors, and listen for birdsongs. They provide important habitat for wildlife, and for recreation. You’ve likely seen wetlands on the fringes of lakes, on river floodplains, along the coast, and anywhere else where water accumulates on the landscape.

Wetlands are found at the intersection of earth/soil and water ecosystems. Because of the complex interactions of land and water, they have unique properties. Despite only occupying 5% of the earth’s surface, wetlands are one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet.

• Wetlands provide habitat for a variety of distinctive plants and animals.
• More than third of threatened and endangered species live in wetlands.
• Wetlands improve water quality.
• They help regulate our climate.
• Wetlands decrease the impact of floods and hurricanes.
• They provide space for recreational activities like hunting, boating, and birding.

Unfortunately, human activities have negatively impacted many wetlands. In fact, 50% of the wetlands in the contiguous United States have been drained or filled. This was done to expand […]

Full article: What’s being done to restore wetlands?