Nature’s Kidneys

7/31/2019 Natures Kidneys

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An Eastern Queens Alliance Presentation


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Specialized organ in the human body Responsible for many critical life functions

Acid : Base balance

Natural filter

Removal of waste

Reabsorption of essential nutrients


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Serve many crucial roles in the environment Food Source

Erosion Prevention

Flood Protection

Pest Control Waste Filtration


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Explosion of small organisms provides as thebase for a complex and rich food web

Conditions ripe as nurseries forapproximately 75-90% of all fish and shellfishharvested in America

Primary rest stop for migratory birds


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Wetlands like the one shown here slow down the flow of water.They also prevent debris from washing up on shore. The benefitsof slowing the flow rate of water translates into reduced erosion.

In fact, wetlands significantly prevent flood damage and eventsunami damage.


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Aquatic and Semi-Aquatic Plant Life

Halophytes

Hydrophytes

Soil Hydric

Micro and Macro Organisms

Anaerobic Bacteria

Aerobic Bacteria Zooplankton


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Hydrophytes Water loving plants

Live in constantly orperiodic waterlogged

conditions

Establish strongexpansive rootsystems

Take oxygen from theair and push it deepinto the ground nearthe roots


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Halophytes Hydrophytes adapted to

live in brackish waterconditions Brackish water is slightly

salty water usually found intidal estuaries andwetlands near to the ocean.

Thick bushy roots withspecialized filtrationmembranes to prevent salt

from entering the plant Special organs that

sweat salt from the

leaves


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Thick and bushy roots from halophytes actlike a barrier, trapping dangerous and

harmful materials. Heavy Metals

Pollutants

Provide a lush home for helpful micro-

organisms like bacteria


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Anaerobic Bacteria Live in anoxic soil conditions

(soil with little or no oxygen)

Usually found in underwater soil

Eat certain toxic chemicals

Produce carbon dioxide thathelps plants grow.


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Aerobic Bacteria Lives in soil where oxygen

is available

Make fresh water

Eat disease causingbacteria

Small Filter


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Massive colonies act like an organic filtereating harmful bacteria, viruses, and

chemicals Coliform

Animal waste

Pesticides and Insecticides

Fertilizers Other Chemicals


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Humus Full of small macro-

organisms

Home to insects,

worms, amphibians,mammals

Loose soil


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Solum: Micro Layer Tiny root systems

Micro-Organisms

Minerals and GoodMetals

Tight Compacted Dirt


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Clay Layer Super Compact

No oxygen

No Roots

Nearly No Life


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Many different layers Humus Layer (1st Level)

Organic material Leaves, earthworms, beetles Small Roots

Loose Dirt

Solum Layer (2nd Level) Tiny Roots Minerals

Micro-Organisms Compacted Dirt

Clay Layer (3rd Level)

Really compacted No organisms

Bedrock / Gravel (4th Level) Big rocks


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Wetlands have many tools that filter pollutionand dangerous chemicals and diseases fromwater. Plants

Roots Bacteria

Loose Dirt

Compacted Dirt

Clay


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Nature’s Kidneys

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