03/25/2026
When you hear the term wetlands, do puddles of water filled with mosquitoes, diseases, and ringworm come to mind? Though they sound uninviting, wetlands are one of the most important
ecosystems in the world because of their biodiversity and productivity (Environmental Protection Agency). They are also considered a globally threatened habitat, with over 60% of coastal
wetlands having been lost (Beheshti et al.). Coastal development, including the construction of houses and other projects, has interfered with the watersheds that supply wetlands and has
increased runoff (Beheshti et al.). Around 90% of Californiaâs historic wetlands have been lost over the past 100 years (Kalua). The wetlands that do remain acquired the title of impaired, not
functioning as they should because of pollutants. California requires healthy wetlands, but faces a crisis.
As water and sediment run down from mountains or hills, they collect nutrients and accumulate into shallow pools, forming wetlands. They are essentially a body of water with concentrated
nutrients that can be called a âbiological supermarketâ. The high amount of nutrients feeds organisms at the bottom of the food web, and attracts bigger predators like birds (Environmental
Protection Agency). All kinds of species rely on wetlands for their food, shelter, and water. Many species of fish and crustaceans use wetlands for food, shelter, and breeding grounds (Environmental Protection Agency). Bird populations will use wetlands to raise their young, and some migratory birds use them as resting, feeding, breeding, or nesting grounds (Environmental Protection Agency). Other animals and plants depend entirely on wetlands for survival, like wood ducks and cattails (Environmental Protection Agency).
In addition to wildlife diversity, wetlands improve natural water quality, bring flood protection, shoreline erosion control, and natural aesthetic appreciation (Environmental Protection Agency).
Wetlands serve as sponges, trapping and then slowly releasing water (Environmental Protection Agency). In the process, they filter pollutants and also aid in flood protection and erosion. Flood
water gets slowed down by wetlands, and the water can be distributed slowly across the floodplain, slowing down floods and reducing erosion (Environmental Protection Agency). Whatâs not to like? Wetlands provide beauty, wildlife health, and protection from natural hazards.
Human development has caused these effects on wetlands. Primary methods include: filling wetlands for development, pollution from runoff, draining for agriculture, and/or modifying higher bodies of water (Morgan). Besides the fight for adequate environmental protection, the loss of wetlands has encouraged investment in restoring wetlands. These projects have their limitations, and achieving the original state of wetlands requires a lot.
The complex nutrient density, microbes, plants, and wildlife are all necessary for wetlands to thrive (Environmental Protection Agency). With this in mind, wetland restoration projects have many factors to consider. They typically include grading soils that are different from natural wetlands. Grading compacts soil and creates a wetland with poor drainage, poor aeration, and too much salt in the soil (Beheshti et al.). Wetlands need enough drainage, room for the soil to move around, either by adding more soil or eroding. The compactness of grading makes it difficult for a wide variety of plants to grow or establish themselves in the soil.
A study found that copying the effects of existing vegetation can reduce the stress from the environment and help restoration (Beheshti et al.). Trying to mimic natural conditions of the
wetland can help with the high salinity, compact soils, and establishment of new plants (Beheshti et al.). Since each wetland is different, local restoration methods should be tailored to each
wetland's unique natural environment.
Restoring and protecting wetlands brings a load of benefits: aesthetics, flood and erosion control, water purification, and biodiversity. What can you do to help protect wetlands? You can
volunteer with organizations or groups that intend to improve or restore wetlands, report suspected illegal actions, reduce pollution, plant native plants, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and spread the word about wetlands!
Post Credit: Penny Terranova! âşď¸
