Canada geese take flight in the West Eugene Wetlands | PHOTO DWMoody
By David W. Moody
A few miles west of Eugene, Oregon lies a beautiful natural treasure. This area, known as the West Eugene Wetlands, is part of the Long Tom River watershed and encompasses 3,000 acres of rich, wetland habitat. Wetlands are defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as areas where water saturation is the primary factor determining what plants and animals exist there. But, what purpose do they serve?
Wetlands serve many purposes, including recreation for people. They are open spaces where people enjoy time away from modern life. They are filled with birds, frogs, turtles and crickets, and an orchestra of natural sound. Wetlands are enjoyed by bicyclists, walkers, bird-watchers and photographers. Some are there for exercise, others for meditation.
Winding down in the West Eugene Wetlands | PHOTO DWMoody
Ecologically, wetlands serve a much deeper purpose. While scientists have long known that wetlands are rich with biodiversity, they have only just begun to understand their larger role. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has recently begun studying the connections between wetlands, estuaries and global fisheries–and their findings are startling.
NOAA found that 75% of commercial fish and shellfish depend on estuaries during their life cycle, and that estuaries themselves, depend on wetlands to maintain water quality and nutrients for food chains. This means a significant portion of the human food supply–seafood–is directly linked to the quantity and quality of the planet’s wetlands.
These findings are significant because throughout the ’70s and ’80s, the U.S. destroyed up to 300,000 wetland acres every year. In fact, by 1980, more than half of all U.S. wetland habitat had been destroyed. Here in Western Oregon, 53 percent of wetland habitat has been lost since Europeans arrived; and for a time, Oregon was losing wetland habitat at the rate of 500 acres per year.
These numbers seem grim, but there is reason to be hopeful. Passage of The Clean Water Act and other protective measures has reduced U.S. wetland acres lost to 90,000 per year. And though many say this is still far too many, it shows a big shift toward conservation.
Another point of hope is that wetlands are resilient. EPA data demonstrates a fortunate wetland characteristic–their ability to bounce back. Drained wetlands retain their soil and hydrological characteristics and can be returned to a functional wetland state with relative ease.
At the federal level, wetland restoration is also making gains. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wetlands Reserve Program (PDF link) provides land owners with information and capital to facilitate restoration of privately-owned wetlands. By 2008, the program had already begun restoring 1.9 million acres.
Bicycling in the wetlands | PHOTO DWMoody
Wetlands are biologically diverse. They are filled with meadowlarks, otters and butterflies. They are home to one-third of all federally endangered species and provide fundamental nutrients to the oceanic food chain. They are places to unwind, exercise, and meditate–natural sanctuaries.
How can you get involved? A great way to begin is to go experience a wetland habitat. Take a walk or bike ride. Grab a camera and go look for birds and other interesting animals. Learn what’s there by doing and seeing.
Next, watch for wetland-related news and support local preservation and restoration measures. Wetlands can’t talk, so give them voice by using your own. And finally, get others involved. Take your friends and family on a wetlands excursion and tell them what you know. Tell them that wetlands are vital to our planet’s health and deserve to be enjoyed and protected.
Links
United States Department of Agriculture: Wetlands Reserve Program (PDF Document)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[...] the ecological importance of wetland habitats, our next post covered open spaces from a more serious angle. Citing research from NOAA and other [...]