Re: Soil Erosion
In a message dated 9/29/99 3:50:18 AM EST, theryans@xtra.co.nz writes:
<< There was a big move in NZ some years ago to drain "useless" wetlands
for farming. Now they are beginning to realize, though pretty late, how
important these are ecologically, and legislation is now in place to
protect the remainder. One of the biggest mistakes was the filling in of
some estuaries and tidal lagoons and the removal of mangroves, which
greatly reduced to breeding grounds for some important fish stocks. >>
Moira:
The US, and California in particular, has some of the strictest laws anywhere
for protecting wetlands. Unfortunately, the laws are only able to protect
remaining wetlands (there are no laws requiring remediation or restoration of
wetlands that have been destroyed in the past), and California has lost
something like 90% of its original wetlands. Most interior wetlands have
been lost to agriculture, while coastal wetlands have also been destroyed for
salt production, the construction of harbors and marinas, urban expansion,
etc. In addition, the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta has been called the most
compromised estuary in the world in terms of its invasion by foreign species.
Our latest battle has been with the Chinese mitten crab, which has
multiplied and spread very rapidly, and regularly clogs the pumps which are
vital to State and Federal water projects. You can imagine the effect all
this has had on fish stocks and migratory waterfowl populations. Many of our
remaining wetlands are seasonal wetlands, such as 'vernal pools', which are
wetlands for only part of the year. Such wetlands are home to a diverse
group of specially adapted plants and animals, including a number of species
of endangered fairy shrimp. Agricultural interests have probably the
strongest voice in state politics, and any proposal that challenges property
rights or requires the use of water for anything other than farming is always
vehemently opposed, so attempts to protect seasonal wetlands or to restore
rivers and historical wetlands always face an uphill battle.
Kurt Mize
Stockton, California
USDA Zone 9
