Have you ever heard the music of the wetlands? Have you heard
the bull frogs croak, the winds rustle, the waters splash, the
birds sing, the beavers chomp, the trees' rustle or their
majestical silence?
Beautiful waters, trees, cattails, water lilies, duckweed,
stonewort, water shield, pickerelweed, beavers, frogs, raccoons,
woodpeckers, bats, chickadees, ducks, fish, and numerous other
plants and animals live and thrive. How could you take away this
harmony?
A wetland is an area which is wet all or part of the year and which
supports the type of vegetation and aquatic life that requires a
seasonably wet climate. These are bogs, swamps, marshes, fens, and
shorelines. These are not only important for their natural beauty
and music, but for many other reasons.
Wetlands are a huge part of our food webs and food chains. Do you
have any idea how many animals need the wetlands for survival?
Wetland animals fit into all food chains and food webs. Lots of
endangered species are associated with the wetlands. Seventy
percent of all ducks and geese start out in wetlands. Many fish
must reach wetlands to spawn.
A lot of furs that we use are from muskrats, otters, beavers, and
minks who all live in the wetlands.
Wetlands improve water quality. The plants in the wetlands absorb
and remove sediments from the water, purifying it. Wetlands stop
any erosion by slowing water and removing friction on river and
stream banks. The water is also cooled in swamps and marshes before
returning to the main stream.
Wetlands can be used to turn solar energy into biomass energy, as
well. What better use is there? Our supplies of coal and natural
gas are running out and we need more energy alternatives.
Canoeists, hikers, anglers, photographers, hunters, trappers,
naturalists, researchers, educators, and bird watchers make use of
the wetlands. The wetlands are a great place for many people.
The wetlands are very important. They benefit plants, people,
animals, and just our earth in general. Without wetlands, a lot of
things would be thrown off balance. Don't destroy the harmony of
our wetlands. |