North Carolina s Wetlands

Transcription

1 North Carolina s Wetlands Submitted to: Paul M. Kellermann Submitted by: Erica ***** July 1, 2002

2 The land along the shore of North Carolina is always at risk of environmental degradation. The coastline has a form of natural protection. This protection is wetlands. Why are wetlands so important in protecting the coastline? Wetlands act as a buffer between land and water, so that the land does not wash away into the water and the water does not, in turn, erode the land. This report will provide background information about what wetlands are, the purpose and importance of wetlands, including water quality, flood, fish and wildlife habitat, and some economic reasons for why wetlands are so important. It will conclude with how to protect wetlands. Wetlands To understand why wetlands serve such an important role in the ecosystem, the definition, types, and status and trends must be known. Definition A wetland is defined as an area of land that is saturated with water the majority of the time (DCM, 2001). The presence of water affects the soil types and natural progression of changes in the habitat that in turn affect the species that live above and below the land. According to the Clean Water Act, wetlands are specifically those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas" (EPA, 2002). There are a wide variety of wetlands, depending on location, climate, human interference, and other factors. 1

3 Types In 1979, a classification system was adapted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that is referred to as the Cowardin Wetland Classification System (NCSU, 2002). By this system, wetlands are classified into two main categories, coastal and inland. A particular type of coastal wetlands is the estuary, where ocean water and fresh water meet. These wetlands often have a fluctuating amount of salinity and water levels due to tidal action. This makes the conditions difficult to live in. Only specialized plants and animals have fully adapted to the environment. Inland wetlands include floodplains and marshes formed by flooding, rivers, or natural springs. These wetlands can be seasonal, depending on the climate and amount of precipitation during a wet season. Both of these types of wetlands are present around North Carolina s coast (NCSU, 2002). The ocean provides saltwater habitats. The barrier islands help to block the salt water, thus allowing fresh water, inland wetlands to form. Both types of wetlands produce a plethora of flora and fauna particular to each specific environment. They also both work to prevent erosion and to protect the land. Trends North Carolina currently has over 2 million acres of wetlands, the third largest in the United States (NERR, 1998). With trends in the United States still pointing to loss of wetlands, particularly in the southeast, North Carolina has a high risk of losing what is left of their wetlands. This can be detrimental to the habitat areas, as well as the economy. According to the National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR), 90% of the commercial fish caught in North Carolina spent some part of their life, most likely the early part, in the estuary (NERR, 1998). With their wetland habitat decreasing, the numbers and health of the commercial fish are also 2

4 declining. However, the wetlands in the United States are decreasing at a slower rate than in the previous decade. In 1986, the Fish and Wildlife Service proposed the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act (FWS, 2002). Under this act, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) must conduct studies on the trends of wetlands in the United States. The national goal is for no net loss to occur. This means that for every acre of wetlands that is lost, an acre must be replaced. This is especially important in North Carolina and other places on the southeast coast because much of the wetlands are lost to urban development. Although North Carolina s shoreline is developing rapidly, the wetlands are being replaced, thus making some progress towards the national goal of no net loss of wetlands in the United States. Importance Water Quality Wetlands act as natural filters of toxin, nutrients, and bacteria that runoff the land toward the open water in rainstorms (DCM, 2001). Wetlands are a buffer between the land and the water. Their soil types are absorbent, and soak up the water that is running off the land. As the water percolates through the soil, the nutrients, sediments, toxins, and bacteria are left behind. The water then enters its next destination relatively clean. All the material that is left behind in the wetlands is incorporated into the ecosystem, where it is used or detoxified by the plants and animals in that habitat. The filtering capability of the wetland is important in determining the health of the species in the open water. Without wetlands, large amounts of sediment would enter the water and cloud it, making it difficult for fish to breathe. This would also affect amphibian and fish egg development, by covering the immature eggs with sediment, thus impairing their ability to 3

5 continue development into mature adults (EPA, 2002). The filtering devices that could be built to replace the function of wetlands cost millions of dollars. Wetlands not only filter runoff before it enters open water, but also retain water which than can be absorbed into the water table before running off. According to the EPA (2002), wetlands play a key role in replenishing ground water, especially during dry periods. The Department of Coastal Management (2002) in North Carolina states that wooded wetlands are the best form of filters, however, this is also the type of wetland that is disappearing most quickly (FWS, 2002). It is also the hardest to replace. Floods Wetlands can be thought of as an enormous sponge. This is very important when large floods or rapid rainfalls occur. They are able to soak up water and release it slowly back into the ecosystem. This is particularly critical in North Carolina, where many hurricanes make landfall. The barrier islands especially protect the inland community. Because of the natural estuary formed by the barrier islands between open ocean and the mainland, storm surge is absorbed before it affects the land and erodes large amounts of it away. This ability to control floods can significantly prevent property damage and loss and can even save lives. (EPA, 2002) Fish and Wildlife Habitat The habitat provided by marine wetlands is the home for many species of fish, turtles, frogs, and other water loving animals that use the area year round. It is also used by animals that are more typically found either on land or in the ocean as a nursery where their young are born and complete the first few stages of their lives. Many commercial fish use the area to spawn. As wetland degradation occurs, less fish are able to use the habitat, thus less commercial fish are produced. Also, migratory birds use the wetlands as nesting sites. Many of these birds are 4

6 endangered because wetlands are disappearing. In North Carolina 70% of the endangered and threatened species use the wetlands at some point in their lives (DCM, 2001). The wetlands are home to a very diverse population of species, all of which play an important role in the ecosystem. Economics and Recreation Health of the wetlands largely influences the economy at many levels. Fish and shellfish are a main industry in North Carolina, and the health of the estuary and wetlands affects the health of the animals. Coastal fishing in the United States attracted about 17 million Americans and generates revenue of more than $18 billion per year in 1995, according to the NOAA (2002). The ability of wetlands to filter water and retain ground water saves communities money in disinfection and cleaning costs. Wetlands also provide flood protection, saving many coastal communities from extensive damage in the event of a hurricane or other large storm. Coastal areas attract more than 100 million people per year (NOAA, 2002). They provide hunting, fishing, and boating activities, as well as bird watching, hiking, and just enjoying the environment. Protecting Wetlands Wetlands are very important, not only to the fish and wildlife that inhabit them, but also to the humans that rely on their health and well-being. In order to allow wetlands to play their vital role, we must insure that they are protected. Currently, there are federal, state, and local regulations on developing wetlands. These regulations hinder the destruction of wetlands by enforcing fees and wetlands replacement programs, which require wetlands to be replaced if they are destroyed. Replacing wetlands by building constructed wetlands is not the same as 5

7 preserving natural wetlands, however, it is better than not replacing them at all. Replacing wetlands is regulated under the Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1977, Section 404 (NCSU, 2002). The EPA and other governmental and local organizations also help to protect wetlands by holding educational programs, watershed clean ups, and interacting with other government agencies to protect wetland degradation. Conclusion Wetlands can and should be protected to ensure the health and well being of the species that depend on them for life, as well as the health and well being of the humans that depend on them. The wetlands of North Carolina provide recreation, economic stability, and protection for the people. They can and should be protected by both the governmental agencies set up to do so, and individuals through education and volunteer programs. 6

8 Works Cited Department of Coastal Management. Wetlands: Their Functions and Values in Coastal North Carolina. URL: (12 Dec. 2001). U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Wetlands. URL: (21 June 2002). U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. National Wetlands Inventory Home Page. URL: (17 June 2002). North Carolina State University. Wetlands. URL: (20 June 2002). National Estuarine Research Reserve. North Carolina. URL: (25 Sep. 1998). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. NOAA Home Page Coasts. URL: (21 Feb 2002). 7