Wetland Ecosystems Solar Power Energy
Generation Guide
Wetland Ecosystems Assist The Environment
By Genevieve Thomson
Wetland ecosystems are areas where water saturation
determines the type of soil that develops in a given
location, as well as the types of animal and plant species
that live there. In the past, wetlands were regarded
as wasted land, little more than breeding grounds for
mosquitoes or barriers to human settlement.
They were often drained and put to other uses, either
as agricultural land or for human development. Other
areas were flooded and turned into artificial recreational
lakes. Increasingly however, wetlands are being recognized
as a vital part of the environment for humans, as well
as animal and plant species.
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Wetlands Are A Natural Ecosystem
Wetlands have provided vital habitats to many types
of plants and animals, many of which are useful to humans.
Coastal wetlands provide breeding grounds for shrimp,
crabs and fish, which are harvested in the deeper ocean
waters. Additionally, many plant species used by man
are dependent on this type of natural ecosystem.
Cranberries, wild rice, blueberries and some types
of trees harvested for timber are examples of useful
plant species that require wetlands for their growth
cycle. Humans also depend on wetland areas for such
recreational activities as hunting, bird watching, fishing
and even camping.
Wetlands Are Vital For Flood Control
Another vital function of wetland ecosystems is flood
control. Wetland soils absorb excess water and control
its distribution, which reduces flooding in the area.
Wetland plant species also help slow the flow of water
from upland areas back into waterways, helping to reduce
flooding downstream.
Wetlands also control soil erosion. The roots of plant
species in wetland areas anchor topsoil, preventing
it from being washed away. In coastal areas, wetland
areas provide an important buffer zone against tidal
forces and storm surges, thus reducing erosion on beaches,
as well as storm-related flooding.
In areas where wetlands have been drained, it has been
necessary to build water treatment plants, dykes and
levies to perform flood control duties once handled
by nature.
Commercial Fisheries Depend On Wetlands
The importance of wetland ecosystems to animal and
plant species has long been known. However, it has only
been relatively recently that we have recognized the
value of wetlands to human populations. Commercial fisheries
depend on wetlands, as breeding grounds for the fish
and shellfish they catch.
Many agricultural products are also dependent on wetlands.
Flood control, erosion control, and water treatment
are all functions that are provided by wetlands. In
addition, wetland areas provide water for livestock
in otherwise dry areas, as well as replenishing the
groundwater.
About the Author:
Genevieve Thomson has written a number of articles on
solar power and renewable energy including
Solar Power System,
Wind And Solar Power,
Solar Thermal,
Alternative Power Systems,
Alternative Energy Sources, Ethanol
Fuel , Alternative
Fuel Vehicles, Curbside
Recycling, Ecosystem
Conservation, Deforestation,
Forest
Ecosystems, Waste
Management, Recycling
Programs, Reduce
Reuse Recycle, Waste
Collection.
Look out for new articles as they become available on
this site.
Little Known Ecosystem Facts.....
How are ecosystems classified?
Ecosystems are classified according
by several different methods. It may be classified according
to the vegetation and terrain such as in a rainforest
ecosystem. Some are classified under the atmosphere
in which they live such as in a marine ecosystem.
As of yet there is not a uniform classification system
but authorities and scientists in the field of ecosystems
are diligently working to produce a universal classification
system to help identify ecosystems in order to protect
them.
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