Louisiana Wet Land Loss
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Louisiana Wet Land Loss
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The coastal land loss for Louisiana has become a growing concern for the people of Southeast Louisiana over the last decade. “Coastal Louisiana wetlands make up the seventh largest delta on Earth, contain about 37 percent of the herbaceous marshes in the United States, and support the largest fishery supply in the bottom 48 states”(Couvillion 2011). “Louisiana is home to two million people and it supports vital ecosystems, national energy security, thousands of jobs, and a unique culture” (Louisiana’s Coast 2013). “The wetlands loss, erosion, subsidence, climate change, sea level rise, storms surge, drought, continuous flooding, and saltwater intrusion all threaten the life of Louisiana’s Coast” (Louisiana’s Coast 2013). “Louisiana currently undergoes about 90 percent of the total coastal wetland loss in the United States” (Couvillion 2011). The understanding of the loss of land is crucial when determining a plan to restore the preservations. “Sustainability needs to be restored to the coastal ecosystem, or the land will continue to be loss at a rapid rate and the critical infrastructure will be damaged” (Louisiana’s Coast 2013). “The pipelines, offshore support centers, and other facilities constructed for coastal conditions will soon be subject to the open water of the Gulf of Mexico if not sustained” (Louisiana’s Coast 2013). “Fisheries and wildlife stocks will decline as spawning, breeding, and foraging grounds are lost to the engulfing water” (Louisiana’s Coast 2013). “The nation will lose priceless habitat whose essential value is recognized around the world” (Louisiana’s Coast 2013). The causes of Louisiana’s coastal wetland loss are fairly simple, so many want to believe the solutions are just as simple. The case between the two
| | |
| | |
Louisiana Wet Land Loss
[pic]
The coastal land loss for Louisiana has become a growing concern for the people of Southeast Louisiana over the last decade. “Coastal Louisiana wetlands make up the seventh largest delta on Earth, contain about 37 percent of the herbaceous marshes in the United States, and support the largest fishery supply in the bottom 48 states”(Couvillion 2011). “Louisiana is home to two million people and it supports vital ecosystems, national energy security, thousands of jobs, and a unique culture” (Louisiana’s Coast 2013). “The wetlands loss, erosion, subsidence, climate change, sea level rise, storms surge, drought, continuous flooding, and saltwater intrusion all threaten the life of Louisiana’s Coast” (Louisiana’s Coast 2013). “Louisiana currently undergoes about 90 percent of the total coastal wetland loss in the United States” (Couvillion 2011). The understanding of the loss of land is crucial when determining a plan to restore the preservations. “Sustainability needs to be restored to the coastal ecosystem, or the land will continue to be loss at a rapid rate and the critical infrastructure will be damaged” (Louisiana’s Coast 2013). “The pipelines, offshore support centers, and other facilities constructed for coastal conditions will soon be subject to the open water of the Gulf of Mexico if not sustained” (Louisiana’s Coast 2013). “Fisheries and wildlife stocks will decline as spawning, breeding, and foraging grounds are lost to the engulfing water” (Louisiana’s Coast 2013). “The nation will lose priceless habitat whose essential value is recognized around the world” (Louisiana’s Coast 2013). The causes of Louisiana’s coastal wetland loss are fairly simple, so many want to believe the solutions are just as simple. The case between the two