WETLANDS WHAT ARE THEY AND WHY ARE THEY

WETLANDS WHAT ARE THEY AND WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?

PART FOUR: HOW DO HUMANS TREAT WETLANDS NOW?

DRAIN TILE AND DITCHES ARE STILL PUT IN TO MOVE WATER FROM THE “WET” SOIL OF SOME FARM FIELDS. IT CONTINUES TO ADD TO FLOOD WATERS AND EROSION PROBLEMS.

BUT PEOPLE ARE LEARNING HOW IMPORTANT WETLANDS ARE TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT. WETLANDS AREA PROTECTED BY U. S. AND STATE LAWS. WETLANDS AT FOREST HILL NATURE AREA HAVE BEEN RESTORED.

PEOPLE ARE BUILDING WETLANDS TO HELP STOP FLOODING AND EROSION AND PROVIDE A HOME FOR WETLAND WILDLIFE AND PLANTS.

COUNTY DRAIN OFFICIALS ARE USING WETLANDS TO MANAGE FLOOD WATER. WETLANDS ARE BUILT IN HOUSING SUBDIVISIONS AND NEXT TO MALLS AND STORES TO COLLECT THE WATER FROM RAIN AND SNOWMELT ON THE STREETS AND PARKING LOTS. THIS REDUCES FLOODING PROBLEMS.

ENGINEERS ARE USING WETLANDS TO MANAGE SEWAGE AND WASTEWATER FROM HOMES, BUSINESSES AND FACTORIES.

RAIN GARDENS ARE SMALL WETLANDS BUILT NEAR HOMES TO HOLD RAINWATER AND GROW BEAUTIFUL WETLAND PLANTS.

Review Questions: 1. Are WETLANDS still being destroyed?

Review Questions: 1. Are WETLANDS still being destroyed? Yes, unfortunately.

Review Questions: 2. In what two ways are WETLANDS being used to help us?

Review Questions: 2. In what two ways are WETLANDS being used to help us? Control of flooding by collecting runoff. Treatment of wastewater.

Review Questions: 3. What WETLAND may be built in your neighborhood?

Review Questions: 3. What WETLAND may be built in your neighborhood? Rain garden or pond.

WETLANDS HAVE SO MANY BENEFITS THAT WE CAN’T AFFORD NOT TO HAVE THEM AROUND. WE ALL NEED TO APPRECIATE ALL THEY DO FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT AND WORK HARD TO PROTECT THEM!