Do You Ever Wonder Why It’s Important To Save The Wetlands

Maybe it’s because I live in Miami and there is a lot of talk about saving the Everglades, but do you wonder why it’s so important to save these wetlands? If you are an informal observer driving up (or down) I-75 (affectionately called Alligator Alley), you may see a number of the big guys lounging by the side of the road. These huge alligators are fenced in, but there needs to be grounds why you want to save yourself and protect alligators along with other animals that inhabit these wet and marshy locales.

The 3 values of wetlands

It’s not only in regards to the birds, fish along with other wildlife that live in the wetlands. Wetlands and the natural processes that take place in and because of the wetlands, and the purpose that wetlands fill affect humans too.

1. Storage facility for excess water. Consider a wetland like you would an ordinary kitchen sponge. If you fill your sink with water and place the sponge in it, the sponge soaks up as much of the water as it can certainly. Wetlands are nature’s sponge. It soaks up excess water during floods, and stores the water, slowly releasing it into the environment because it is needed. This release of water waters parched ground during dry periods.

2. Water filter. When water reaches a wetland and is absorbed by native plants, pollutants, fertilizer and other contaminants in the water drop to the bottom. When the water leaves the wetland, it is cleaner than when it arrived. Environmental managers build motorhome water filters modeled following the natural filtration system of the wetlands.

3. Wetlands are one of the most diverse ecosystems. The variance and number of species that are now living in and therefore are supported by the wetlands is as great while the rain forest and coral reefs. The lush vegetation and shallow water creates an environment where fish and wildlife flourish. Energy given off by the plant life is passed to fish, wildlife, waterfowl and humans. And also this helps nurture the shellfish and commercial fishing industry.

So saving the wetlands is not only about the plants, fish and wildlife that inhabit them. Saving the wetlands ultimately saves us too. Acting as a natural water agent, filtering and energy producer, the wetlands give a naturally better environment for its inhabitants and humans.