Protect Estuaries, Wetlands, and Tidal Mudflats
Coastal ecosystems like estuaries and mudflats are some of the most productive habitats on the planet. They provide us with essential ecosystem services like coastal protection from storm surges and flooding and are critical nursery grounds for fish. They also store “blue” carbon, which is carbon sequestered and stored in large quantities in both the plants and the sediment. For example, over 95% of the carbon in seagrass meadows is stored in the soils. Unfortunately, estuaries and mud flats are not appreciated and in California, more than 90% of its historical wetlands have been lost and remaining many remaining wetlands are threatened. Protecting, restoring, and stopping development and encroachment safeguards one of some of the most important ecosystems on the planet.
importance of estuaries & tidal mudflats
Wetlands have both aquatic and terrestrial characteristics. Wetlands form along the shallow margins of lakes, estuaries, and rivers, and in areas with high groundwater or shallow surface water, such as springs, wet meadows, ponds, and freshwater and tidal marshes. They often go through wet and dry cycles, and therefore support a unique array of life specially adapted to these conditions. [1]
Wetlands provide important habitat for birds, fish, and other wildlife. They support local food webs, contribute to flood protection, groundwater recharge, shoreline protection, and water filtration: all important ecosystem services. [1]
Tidal salt marshes are extremely productive ecosystems, important ecologically and economically, and highly efficient at sequestering carbon. [2]
impacts of CLIMATE CHANGE
Rising sea levels, altered rain patterns, drought, and ocean acidification threaten to degrade estuaries. Rising sea levels will move ocean and estuarine shorelines by inundating lowlands, displacing wetlands, and altering the tidal range in rivers and bays. Storm surges resulting from more extreme weather events can increase the areas subject to periodic inundation. [3]
Increased frequency and intensity of rainfall can lead to greater stormwater runoff, erosion, and sedimentation. Greater nutrient, pollution or sediment introduction in an estuary can threaten estuarine ecosystem function. [3]
Decreased precipitation can also affect the salinity of coastal waters. Estuaries require a natural balance of freshwater and saltwater. Droughts reduce fresh water input into tidal rivers and bays, which raises salinity in estuaries, and enables salt water to mix farther upstream. The increase of salinity in brackish water environments can threaten to degrade ecosystem health. The intrusion of saltwater within groundwater or further upstream also poses risks for coastal drinking water infrastructure. [3]
Rising concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2), and subsequent absorption in the ocean, leads to marine waters becoming more acidic. Increased acidity of ocean and coastal waters can threaten to reduce the availability of certain minerals in seawater that are needed to build and maintain coral skeletons and support other estuarine species such as shellfish. [3]
how to PROTECT estuaries and tidal mudflats
Stop burning fossil fuels and putting excess greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere.
Get involved with organizations working to protect, restore, and provide public education about estuaries, wetlands, and tidal mudflats. These organizations are working to protect from development (encroachment from development and agriculture), and restore areas that have been degraded.
Vote for political leaders who value estuaries and mudflats and will support conservation and protection campaigns.
References:
California Water Quality Monitoring Council, California Wetlands, www.mywaterquality.ca.gov/eco_health/wetlands/Regeneration, Tidal Salt Marshes, www.regeneration.org/nexus/tidal-salt-marshesCalifornia Environmental Protection Agency, Climate Adaptation and Estuaries, www.epa.gov/arc-x/climate-adaptation-and-estuaries
