The significance of coastal wetlands will grow in the next decades. Already, external forces have infringed upon these fragile ecosystems. Losses of endangered and threatened species will accompany the threats to the environment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that nearly one-half of these species depend upon wetlands.
The danger to coastal wetlands comes from several sources, including development and climate change. The irony is that in an effort to better their quality of life, humans have inadvertently set out on a course that may dramatically extinguish these hopes.
Quality of Wetlands
Part of the problem lies with the current system of mitigation. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that over 50 percent of the wetlands in the lower 48 states were lost during the period from the 1780s to the 1980s. Recognizing the environmental impact, many communities adopted a policy of replacing wetlands in other areas in order to offset the loss of existing wetlands. In theory, this would appear to be a sound strategy.
However, an analysis by postdoctoral fellow, David Moreno-Mateos, of the University of California at Berkeley, offers a different viewpoint. Restored wetlands do not recover fully to their pristine state and the biodiversity of plants does not return. Moreno-Mateo estimates a 25 percent loss of productivity on average. This can in turn, place wildlife that depends upon wetlands at risk.
Coastal Wetland Losses
To compound the problems, costal wetlands have suffered devastating losses. A report by NOAA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that 59,000 acres of coastal wetlands were lost each year between 1998 and 2004 despite mitigation and other efforts at preservation.
Given the current conditions, scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey warned that most coastal wetlands may disappear by the end of the 21st century. Researchers concluded that a rapid sea-level rise could flood these ecosystems. Their findings point to a scenario in which coastal wetlands are more at risk than previously believed. The consequences, therefore, paint a picture in which more wetlands will be lost, and that the restored wetlands may not prove to be adequate substitutes.
Consequences of Habitat Loss
With the loss of wetlands comes an increased risk of shoreline erosion. A 2000 study by the Heinz Center warned of a loss of one in four homes within 500 feet of U.S. Shoreline. As it stands now, there are 350,000 structures within this range. Sea Grant estimates the loss will cost property owners upward of $530 million each year. U.S. Taxpayers will pay an additional $80 million annually through funding for the National Flood Insurance Program.
Another concern looms regarding coastal wetland losses. A 2011 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported that the occurrence of extreme weather events may increase as a result of climate change. A rise in the number of storms at coastal regions may cause more devastating effects without the protection afforded by wetlands. If correct, these conclusions show a vicious cycle of environmental destruction and economic losses.
The solution, therefore, is to protect coastal wetlands. Without action to mitigate the effects of climate change, preservation of these ecosystems offers a defense at the very least. Research has demonstrated that loss of these habitats is not limited to a loss of wildlife and plant species. The possible economic consequences may be catastrophic.
Sources:
- Harvey, F. (2011, November 17). IPCC expected to confirm link between climate change and extreme weather. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk
- Moreno-Mateos, D., Powers, M., Comín, F. and Yockteng, R. (2012) Structural and Functional Loss in Restored Wetland Ecosystems. PLoS Biology 10(1): e1001247. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1001247
- Sea Grant Woods Hole. (2001). Evaluation of Coastal Erosion Hazards. Retrieved from http://www.whoi.edu
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2011). Fish and Wildlife Habitat. Retrieved from http://water.epa.gov
- U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency and the H. John Heinz III Center. (2000). Evaluation of Erosion Hazards. Retrieved from http://www.fema.gov/
- U.S. Geological Survey. (2006). Wetlands. Retrieved from http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/
