Environmental Issues

I. Introduction

When you think of wetlands, what come to your mind are the frogs, ponds, lilies and moss. However, its importance and role encompasses a large scope that we all need to know and find out about. Wetlands play very important role in the regulation of river flow, in filtering pollutants and fertilizers, in offering spawning zone for some fish, and for providing a home for some plants, insects, batrachians and birds. Wetlands are a great help in our environment as they play a big part in the cycle of our ecosystem. However, since we have been experiencing a lot of environmental changes, the wetlands likewise are affected. They influence the livelihoods of several communities supplying water, peat, wood, grazing, crops and, locally, aesthetic, cultural, recreational, nature preservation and instructive advantages. In the past, lots of these lands were appreciated only for their capability to be transformed to other uses in the course of drainage and forestation. At present, their advantages are better valued. Enhanced environmental management emphasizes ways of transporting improved benefits from these lands to all stakeholders and of reducing their possible negative impacts owing to climatic productions of greenhouse gases, hydrological changes and sediment discharge. There are a lot of definitions about wetlands although mostly they provide the same common denominators.

II. Wetland Definitions

A.   Three National Definitions
National Wetlands, as the word implies, are regions where water is present on either the whole year round or at a particular time of the year, the area is covered with water, particularly at some point in the growing season. A number of our most important and fruitful wetlands only gets wet seasonally. Wetlands are a significant link between the land and water and are fruitful as rain forests and coral reef ecosystems (Weber State University n.d.).

National Wetlands are distinctive setting in which the soil is waterlogged for all or most of the year. Frequently, wetlands contain pools of standing water for much of the year, and all wetlands swarm a massive amount of plant and animal species that have modified to their distinctive environment. Wetlands are an exceptionally important natural resource besides presenting habitat for plants and animals they also help care for nearby land, and lessen soil erosion (Smith 2010).

National Wetlands are amongst the most efficient and fruitful ecosystems in the world, akin to rain forests and coral reefs.  HYPERLINK httpwww.epa.govOWOWwetlandsvitalepa_mediafood_web.gif An enormous variety of species of microbes, plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals are portion of the wetland ecosystem. Climate, topology, geology, and the movement and the great quantity of water also known as the physical and chemical features help in determining the kind of plant or animal inhabits a particular wetland. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2009).

B. Three International Definitions
An international definition for wetlands is lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water. (Dini et al 1998)

An international definition for wetlands in Africa is permanently flooded lands lying below the deepwater boundary of wetlands. They include environments where surface water is permanent and often deep, so that water, rather than air, is the principal medium within which the dominant organisms live, whether or not they are attached to the substrate. (Dini et al 1998)

International Wetlands are the ecotones or intermediary zones between lasting aquatic and dry earthly ecosystems.  HYPERLINK httpwww.ramsar.org t _blank Ramsar Convention has defined wetlands as areas of marsh, fen , peat land or water, either inherent or synthetic , stable or unstable with water that is stagnant or streaming , fresh, briny or salty, together with areas of marine water the deepness of which at low tide does not go beyond six meters (Wetlands of India 2010).

C. Table of Similarities and Differences
Wetland LocationImportant ResourceMentions HabitatsWet Year RoundArea Between Water and Dry LandMoving or Non Moving WaterFresh, Briny, Salty, or MarineNationalXXXXXInternationalXXXX

III. Mangroves

A. Description of mangrove vegetation
A mangrove is a woody plant or plant community that lives between the sea and the land in regions submerged by tides. Therefore, a mangrove is a type as well as a centre of population of plants. The species may vary into a tree, shrub or palm which shares the capacity to live in salt water. Grey mangroves scientifically known as Avicennia marina is Australias most widespread mangrove species and is said to be a tough mangrove because of its capacity to deeply set its strong peg roots into newly emerged mud banks and their ability to endure low temperatures and a range of other inter tidal situations. Mangrove apple or the Sonneratia Alba frequently grows in this region too. Mangrove populations are accompanied by several different pasture grasses Buffel, Aleman, Hymenachne, Misssion, and Para. A couple of other shade and fodder trees can also be found among the mangroves Prickly acacia and Mesquite. (The State of Queensland, Department of Environment and Resource Management, 2009).

B. Geographical distribution of Mangroves
Local, well established stands of mangroves can be found along the coastline of Kimberley in Western Australia. These mangrove communities have gone, mainly, undisturbed. The high humidity and temperature fluctuations provide a low risk of fire to surrounding areas. The groups of mangroves in SE Australia are located in sheltered bays and estuaries thus offering protection from storm damage to the surrounding areas (McKenzie  Rolfe 1996).

The national interior transgression of mangroves into the estuaries of south-east Australia over the last five decades is occurring in a variety of geographical locations. This transgression could be due to increases in rainfall, clearing of areas for agriculture, altered tidal regimes, water levels, or increases in nutrients and sedimentation (Saintilan  Williams 1999).

On an international level, the U.S. has lost roughly 50 of wetland acreage due to the reformation of millions of acres of wetlands into farms, cities, and roads. South-east United States contains the largest concentration of Mangroves in North Americs.(Indiana Department of Environmental Management, n.d.).

C. Hydrology for the mangroves.
Tests performed by the National Wetlands Research Center concluded that mangroves in areas of high tidal fluctuation experience greater growth than those in static water (Howard  Mendelssohn 2000).

D. Other environmental requirements
Field and greenhouse experiments performed by the National Wetlands Research Center in South Florida, show that salinity has a smaller effect on the growth of the mangrove than hydrologic conditions do. Hydrological requirements for mangroves are the tidal cycle that keeps soils saturated. These studies showed the degree that hydrologic fluctuations and substrate quality enhance mangrove growth and survival (Howard  Mendelssohn 2000).

In my opinion, according to these studies the tallest, strongest mangroves would be found in coastal areas where the water levels fluctuate on a daily basis. Coastal areas would also be less susceptible to drought that inland areas would be.

E. Environmental role  values  benefits
Ecological The significance of ecological functions is hydraulic transfers, water storage, biogeochemical transformations, primary productivity, decomposition, and habitat. Studies have shown that any excessive utilization or removal of elements will adversely alter the wetland ecosystem (Weis 2008).

Hydrological The hydrological significance pertains to the comparison between natural wetlands and manmade wetlands. Hydrological studies showed that manmade wetlands were wetter and for longer periods. The manmade sites had large components of open water. Most naturally occurring mainstream floodplain wetlands are vegetated with very little open water (Weis 2008).

Social Wetlands have great socio-cultural value, even though this aspect is just starting to be explored. Researchers are discovering that many wetlands in the world have religious and historical values for many of their surrounding communities. For example some wetlands in Australia are sites for ceremonies, hunting, and gathering activities. In some parts of the world, regional wetlands are used for initiation rites ceremonies. Studies conducted by Ramsar showed that at least 30 of the worlds wetlands have significant value in regards to archaeological, historical, cultural, religious, mythical, and artisticcreative significance to the communities around them (SAEFL 2004).

Economic The economic values of wetlands have been proven to be substantial. The many would wide studies of wetlands has concluded the need for more sustainable management of the worlds wetlands. The results of these studies have proven to society their immense economical value thus pronouncing the importance of wetland preservation and wise allocation of the natural resources (SAEFL 2004).

Wetlands provide a livelihood for local people thus a main source of income for many indigenous populations. They also provide timber and firewood which are one of lifes basic needs for survival. Food for humans and animals from the fisheries and marine life help to feed many otherwise starving populations. Wetlands provide sources of natural dyes as well as recreational and medicinal values. (Mazda, Wolanski,  Ridd, n.d.).

F.  Potential threats
American mangroves are home to many endangered species. Hundreds of bird species in America rely on mangroves for feeding, nesting, foraging, and roosting. Not only do mangroves provide habitats for the species that live there, they provide educational and recreational benefits for humans (Gavnish et al 2008).

There are a lot of threats to the mangroves survival among them are the sewage and fertilizer contamination to the water. The huge demand for seaside hotels in coastal cities is endangering the existence of mangroves. Many think of wetlands as swamps and are considered to be places of many potential dangers and considered to be useless (Mazda, Wolanski,  Ridd, n.d.).

Many of the worlds mangroves are being threatened by industrial pollution and urban spread out. In addition, contamination from pesticides, agricultural chemicals and industrial effluents are becoming major threats. Environmental stress is also one of the killers of mangrove areas. Charcoal and timber industries has also taken their toll on the chance for survival Not to mention the charcoal and timber industries have also harshly affected wetland forests. Tourism and other coastal improvements have played heavy roles in the depletion of the natural resources that are unique to the worlds mangroves. (Mazda, Wolanski,  Ridd, n.d.).

Everywhere mangrove forests have been emptied and the number of coastal fisheries has significantly dropped. Many economically essential fish species strictly use wetland marshes for reproduction practices. The loss of their breeding ground can easily result in the extinction of those species. The loss of coast wetland forests also endangers the humans and wildlife that live in the area. When mangrove vegetation is depleted, the inhabitants of the area become threatened by natural disasters due to the loss of their shelter (Mazda, Wolanski,  Ridd, n.d.).

Beginning to be realized is the climate changes in direct relation to the depletion of the worlds wetland masses. Changes in the ecosystem of the mangroves can eventually change the climate and the levels of pollution in the atmosphere from their current levels to unliveable conditions. Wetlands act as natural air filters for many pollutants and the moisture is a major factor for regional climate. It should be stressed, at this point, that climate is an extremely vital component in the survival to any ecosystem (SAEFL 2004).

G. Conservationprotection policies andor management options
It is indeed prominent that the destruction of some of the worlds most vital resources is alarming. For many centuries, people have taken for granted the importance of these ecosystems to our environment and thought more of the expansion and advancement opportunities that arise following the destruction of these swampland areas. It is recently that people are beginning to realize the destruction of these ecosystems is why natural disasters are more prevalent now than ever before. For this reason, people are finally becoming concerned with the restoration and conservation of global wetlands (Gattenlohner et al 2007).

In some countries, people are attempting several methods to be able to conserve and restore the wetland ecosystems. Some have started planting native plant species according to the compatibility to the region. However, these futile attempts are considered too little, too late and much more needs to be done towards restoration. (Gattenlohner et al 2007).

There are few, if any, laws that are specific to the conservation and preservation of wetlands. This is because the conservation of wetlands would entail all major wetlands in many countries. The laws required for this type of massive conservation efforts would require the cooperation of all the countries to which it pertains (Veltman 1995).

Up until the 1970s, wetlands were considered to be wastelands and in the mid-1800s, Congress enacted several federal laws that promoted the destruction of wetlands (Veltman 1995). Because of the lack of legislation on this, some groups are taking matters into their own hands. One group of people that are dedicated to preserving the wetlands and the species that live or migrate there is the Ramsar Convention on wetlands of international importance. This convention is composed of 52 contracted parties who have three main objectives (Navid 1989). Their current objectives are
A requirement to include wetland conservation considerations within national resources planning.
The promotion of the conservation of wetlands through the establishment of nature reserves.
The designation of wetlands for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance for which specific conservation duties apply.

The members of the Ramsar Convention have also, recently taken steps to strengthen the administrative provisions of the convention. The Ramsar Convention has made great strides towards their goals since 1987 (Navid 1989).

Wetland species extinction is extremely vulnerable due to the fact that wetlands typically occur in discrete areas where the numbers of a species are dense and isolated. Interference with the wetland ecosystem can cause changes to the shape, size and dispersion of the area. These types of quick changes can easily cause a species to die quickly (Gibbs 2000).

Mangroves alongside with the abiotic setting adjoining it build up a unique ecological unit that is dispersed in the coastal areas identified as the Mangrove Ecosystem. Along with coral reefs and tropical rainforests, it is the most fruitful ecosystem on earth. They are a varied environment that is rich in livelihood resources and have straight impact on the populace dwelling in mangrove areas. Mangrove ecosystems have conventionally been sustainable controlled by local residents for the making of food, medicines, tannins, fuel lumber, and production materials. For many native coastal inhabitants, mangrove forests present reliable, basic income and maintain their customary customs (Mazda, Wolanski,  Ridd, n.d.).

Mangroves provide livelihood for local people thus as source of income for many indigenous population, it also provides timber and firewood which are one of the basic needs for survival, auxiliary food for humans and animals, provide food for fisheries  and marine life, source of natural dyes, recreational and medicinal values. Evidently, the existence of mangroves is a great help to people especially those living in the coastal areas and are in dire need of livelihood resource. A lot of people benefit from the mangroves that are why the propagation and reproduction needs to be taken care of otherwise these people will suffer a great loss since they are the primary beneficiaries of mangrove wetlands. The benefits it offers to other people are equally important especially in terms of protection from natural disasters (Mazda, Wolanski,  Ridd, n.d.).

IV. Conclusion
It is indeed important that we know the importance of wetlands and not only how it is defined locally and internationally because it plays a very important role in our environment. It protects our homes from floods because it soaks up and slowly releases floodwaters. Because wetlands act like sponges, it helps in lowering the flood heights while slowing down the flow of water down the streams and rivers. Moreover, wetlands control soil erosions especially along rivers, lakes and streams wherein the soil is held in place while absorbing the energy of waves and buffering strong currents (Gavnish et al 2008).

In addition, wetlands serve as home to wildlife animals. Many of the endangered species in America only lives in wetlands and thus to enable them to survive they need wetlands. But if we continuously transform wetlands into other forms of constructions, later on these animals would become extinct. Hundreds of bird species rely on wetlands for feeding, nesting, foraging and roosting. In addition to their valuable contribution to the habitats and species that live in their ecosystem, wetlands also provide educational benefits as well as recreation and aesthetics to people (Gavnish et al 2008).