Volume 1, Issue 5

What you can do!

So what can you do to protect downstream environments from the harmful effects of sedimentation and flooding? Well, one way to help is to stop erosion and excess run-off where it starts which can be as close as your backyard! You can filter stormwater and recharge groundwater by building a  rain garden. Rain gardens are landscaped, shallow depressions that are planted with wild flowers and other native vegetation to replace areas of lawn. These beautiful and unique additions to your yard are a great way to prevent rainwater from carrying excess fertilizer and sediment downstream, and it provides a low-maintenance way to create natural habitat for many local species of butterflies and birds. For a step-by-step guide to building a simple and inexpensive rain garden project of your own visit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation at www.cbf.org. Additional information about rain gardens is available at www.raingardennetwork.com and www.raingardens.org.

CONTACTS

The Izaak Walton League of America
707 Conservation Lane
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878
(301)548-0150

Kami Watson
Coordinator, Save our Streams
email:kami@iwla.org

LINKS

In coastal Louisiana, America s Wetland is the seventh largest delta on earth and is certainly one of the world s most valuable ecological treasures. The potential collapse of this intricate ecosystem will have devastating impacts on the resident fish and wildlife species, as well as the many thousands of nearby residents that depend on the floodwater and storm surge protection that these wetlands provide. Find out more about this nation-wide effort to protect coastal wetlands in Louisiana at www.americaswetland.com.

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands maintains a series of fact sheets on Wetland Values and Functions designed to spread the word about how wetlands contribute to our quality of life. Check out this informative resource at www.ramsar.org.

The North Carolina Coastal Federation Shorekeeper s Program has released a manual for waterfront property owners that are interested in learning some simple ways to reduce coastal erosion and stormwater runoff. You can download a copy of Erosion Control: Non-Structural Alternatives at www.nccoast.org.

Interested in finding out more about pocosin wetlands? In 1984, the U.S. Congress designated an area of 11,709 acres in North Carolina as protected Pocosin Wilderness. These lands abound with a variety of wildlife species! Discover the significance of these unique ecosystems at www.wilderness.net.

Don t forget to celebrate American Wetlands Month in May. For a nationwide calendar of event, visit www.iwla.org/sos/awm/events.

In humans, some of our most basic functions occur so automatically and with such regularity that we hardly think about them. Similarly, some of the most important functions of ecosystems are those that are hidden from sight. Wetlands are a good example of this. They do much more than provide us with direct benefits like food, recreation, timber and agriculture; they also contribute essential services that aren t always obvious to the casual observer.

One of the most important characteristics of wetlands is their ability to act as giant natural sponges, soaking up the excess water that could cause severe flooding. Trees, root mats and other dense vegetation slow down the flow of stormwater runoff and allow surplus water to seep into the permeable soils. A recent study estimated that 0.4 hectares of wetland could store over 6,000 cubic meters of floodwater! That means a wetland the size of a football field can store enough water to fill two-thirds of an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

The economic value of floodwater retention is enormous, especially when you consider that storm and flood damage exceeds $1 billion annually in the United States. In Massachusetts, wetlands were regarded as so effective for flood control by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that they purchased many wetlands rather than build expensive flood control structures. In a detailed study, they determined that the 3,455 hectares of wooded swamps and freshwater marshes along the Charles River Basin are worth roughly $40 million per year! In another study conducted in Minnesota, the Department of Natural Resources calculated that the cost of replacing the natural floodwater storage function of wetlands would be $300 per acre-foot. (an acre-foot is approximately 325,851 gallons).

Because wetlands help reduce the velocity and volume of stormwater flow, they also protect stream channels from being scoured and eroded during heavy rains. Wetland vegetation and tree roots trap sediments and keep them from clogging up waterways and degrading fish habitat further downstream.

One specific type of wetland that is particularly valuable for stormwater retention and groundwater recharge is the pocosin. Pocosin is an Algonquin Indian word that means  swamp on a hill. Sure enough, pocosin wetlands can be found all along the ridges and valleys that snake along the Atlantic seaboard, though most of them (70 percent) are found in North Carolina. Pocosins can be recognized by their dense evergreen plant communities, which thrive on acidic, nutrient-poor soils. The unique structure of pocosin soils make them particularly good at absorbing and retaining rainfall, which is then released slowly into nearby streams and saltwater marshes. These qualities make pocosin wetlands essential to the healthy functioning of estuaries along the Southeastern U.S. coastline.

Along the coast, wetlands act as a buffer between the shore and the open ocean, shielding coastal developments and helping to dissipate storm energy. Because they protect the beach from heavy winds, rains and waves, coastal wetlands are highly valuable to those who reside and make their living near the ocean. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew caused $20 billion in damage to Florida and destroyed 250,000 homes. Later, Andrew hit Louisiana with the same force, but resulted in only $2.5 billion in damages and the leveling of nine homes. Though these losses were not trivial by any means, the presence of a protective barrier of wetlands helped protect Louisiana s coast from the same degree of devastation that wracked Florida s more developed shores. Estimates of storm and flood damage suggest that Louisiana s wetlands have prevented approximately $111 billion in losses since 1927. They also have provided security and peace of mind for the 2.1 million people living in the region's coastal communities.

Along the coast, wetlands act as a buffer between the shore and the open ocean, shielding coastal developments and helping to dissipate storm energy. Because they protect the beach from heavy winds, rains and waves, coastal wetlands are highly valuable to those who reside and make their living near the ocean. The severe damage that can result from violent storms and hurricanes results not only in financial costs, but also emotional costs borne by those who have lost their homes, livelihoods and security. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew caused $20 billion in damage to the Florida coastline and destroyed 250,000 homes. Later, Andrew hit Louisiana with the same force, but resulted in only $2.5 billion in damages and the leveling of 9 homes. Though these losses were not trivial by any means, the presence of a protective barrier of wetlands helped protect Louisiana s coast from the same degree of devastation that wracked Florida s more developed shores. Estimates of storm and flood damage suggest that Louisiana s wetlands have prevented approximately $111 billion in losses since 1927. They also have provided security and peace of mind for the 2.1 million people living in the region's coastal communities.

Wetland Sights and Sounds written by Suzanne Zanelli.

Photos courtesy of USDA and USGS.

Sounds courtesy of FindSounds.com.

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Founded in 1922, the Izaak Walton League of America is dedicated to common sense conservation that protects America's hunting, fishing, and outdoor heritage relying on solution-oriented conservation, education, and the promotion of outdoor recreation for the benefit of our citizens. The League has more than 40,000 members and supporters in 21 state divisions and more than 300 local chapters in 32 states.