5 statements?

Question

Can you help me come up with at least 5 scientifically-based statements arguing against a proposal to drain wetlands?

Answer 1

Here are 5 good reasons to oppose draining wetlands.

1. Wetlands prevent flooding by holding water much like a sponge. By doing so, wetlands help keep river levels normal and filter and purify the surface water. Wetlands accept water during storms and whenever water levels are high. When water levels are low, wetlands slowly release water.

2. Wetlands also release vegetative matter into rivers, which helps feed fish in the rivers. Wetlands help to counter balance the human effect on rivers by rejuvenating them and surrounding ecosystems.

3. Many animals that live in other habitats use wetlands for migration or reproduction. For example, herons nest in large old trees, but need shallow areas in order to wade for fish and aquatic life. Amphibians often forage in upland areas but return to the water to mate and reproduce.

4. Wetlands are vital to the health of all other biomes and to wildlife and humans everywhere. Unlike most other habitats, wetlands directly improve other ecosystems. Because of its many cleansing benefits, wetlands have been compared to kidneys. The analogy is good one. Wetlands and kidneys both help control water flow and cleanse the system.

5. Erosion Control
If you have ever looked at pictures of deltas, one can tell that rivers deposit a lot of sediment into the ocean. The sediment is from top soil that has been eroded and washed away. Emergents (plants firmly rooted in the muddy bottom but with stalks that rise high above the water surface) are able to radically slow the flow of water. As a result, they counter the erosive forces of moving water along lakes and rivers, and in rolling agricultural landscapes. Erosion control efforts in aquatic areas often include the planting of wetlands plants.