Wetland Threats&

Wetland Education

Joan Chadde, Education Program CoordinatorCenter for Science and Environmental Outreach

&& Western U.P. Center for Science, Mathematics

and Environmental EducationDept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering

Michigan Technological University

Lecture Objectives:

1) Describe amount of wetland loss in U.S.

2) Describe human actions that threaten

wetlands.

3) Identify causes of wetland alteration.

4) Provide overview of educational programs and materials.

5) Identify organizations and agencies with wetland education mission.

How Much Wetland Area Has Been Lost?? (since pre-settlement ~ 1600’s)?

Nationwide – 53% (in lower 48) Great Lakes Basin – 70% Michigan

50% of total wetlands lost 70% of coastal wetlands

75% of Michigan wetlands in private ownership.

(from Living With Michigan Wetlands: A Landowner’s Guide)

Major Effects of Wetland Losses

50% loss of spawning grounds for fish

50% loss of waterfowl habitat

50% loss of flood control capability

50% loss of erosion control and

sediment-trapping capability

Why So Much Wetland Loss?

Perception of wetlands as “wastelands” and “swamps”

(= ignorance)

Economic incentives for development and urban sprawl

Major Causes of Wetland Loss & Degradation

A) Biological Alterations

B) Chemical Alterations

C) Physical Destruction or Degradation

A) Biological Alterations

1. Removal of wetland or riparian vegetation

2. Introduction of non-native/exotic species

Removal of riparian vegetation next to stream due to residential development.

Farming up to edge of stream.

Livestock corral adjacent to stream

Introduced weeds and non-native plants, i.e. purple loosestrife• need to be controlled through biological, chemical and/or mechanical means, or• prevented by proper land management, i.e. minimize disturbance.

Chemical Alterations

1. Release of pollutants & toxic chemicals

2. Change in nutrient levels

Site Name: Portage Township Landfill

Site Address: SOUTH OF M-26 & SHARON RD

City: HOUGHTON

Zip Code: 49931

County: Houghton

Source: Landfill

Pollutant(s): Manganese Cadmium , Nickel Toluene ,

Bs(ethylhexyl)phthal

Score: 40 out of 48

Score Date: 1991-05-09

Township: 54N Range: 34W Section: 25

Quarter: NW Quarter/Quarter: SW

Site Name: Florida Gas

Site Address: M-26 & Franklin St.

City: Laurium

Zip Code: 49913

County: Houghton

Source: Petroleum & Coal Products

Pollutant(s): Heavy Metals , Volatile HCs PNAs , Semi-Volatile HCs

Score: 44 out of 48

Score Date: 1992-08-31

Township: 56N Range: 33W Section: 25

Quarter: NW Quarter/Quarter:

Environmental Response Division (ERD)Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality

Website: http://www.deq.state.mi.us/erd/

Click on "Contaminated Sites in Michigan" where you can search by county or city.

MissionTo effectively determine, evaluate, and control risks to the environment and the health, safety, and welfare of Michigan's citizens by carrying out cleanup or other response activities at sites of environmental contamination.

Agricultural runoff carries pesticides, fertilizers and manure.

Livestock corral on streams allows manure (nutrients) to enter stream unfiltered by vegetation.

Sediment plume discharging into river and then entering lake.

Physical Destruction or Degradation_____

1. Filling

2. Draining3. Dredging & Stream Channelization4. Peat Mining5. Flooding & Changes in Sediment

Deposition Patterns due to Dam Construction.

6. ATV/Recreational Uses

Boom Times In Northwest Michigan by Dr. Joe VanderMuelen, Land Information Access Association

Recently, a local contractor told me how very well his company is doing. "We're totally booked through next spring. It's so busy, I'm turning work away every week. And I can't find anyone to recommend. Everybody's booked. It's really great… But it can't go on like this. There's gotta be an end to it.”

Stream channelization = straightening of rivers & streams for railroad and highways.

Peat Mining

Michigan is largest peat producer.

Other large peat producers are: Florida, Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota

Peatland crop production (sod, carrots, onions, celery, potatoes, lettuce, cranberries, mint, radishes).

Horticultural use; containerized seedlings used in forest industry.

Flooding (and flood damage) is much greater when streams are straightened and riparian vegetation has been removed.

What’s wrong with this message?

WETLANDS DAMAGE FORCES ATV BAN

ATVs have been banned in three lake areas of the Chequamegon Nat’l Forest after the destruction of delicate wetlands by ATVs in summer 2000.

The Valhalla Sunbowl near Washburn, WI has been permanently closed to ATVs after a small wetland once home to frogs, deer and rabbits was turned into gray muck and pools filled with stagnant water by ATV riders. It is estimated to take 10-15 years to repair…..

II. Education Efforts to Protect and Enhance Wetlands____A. Public Education• Brochures & booklets• Landowner’s Guide handbooks• Landowner workshops• Videos• Logger certification programs• Teacher workshops• Curriculum development – K-12 and university• Children’s literature

What is biggest threat to Michigan water quality? ….ignorance and apathy. (Ellie Bunzendahl, CEE, MTU)

Educational materials for landowners and public…

Workshops for ranchers, farmers and landowners.

Forest Stewardship Programs educate forest landowners & loggers.

Teacher Workshops • wetlands• soils• stream monitoring • wildife• Lake Superior

WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands: An Educator’s Guide(To order: 1-406-994-5392)

A Thousand Friends of Frogs Educator Activity Guidehttp://cgee.hamline.edu/frogs/

Wetlands Ecology Courses taught at university level.

Trap Rock River Adopt-a-Stream Project

1995-2001

• Lake Linden-Hubbell Middle School studentscleaning the Trap Rock River, near Lake Linden (Oct. 2000).

• Trap Rock River Newslettersent to all residents of school district.

• To date, 65 tires removed, and several pick-up trucks full of trash.

B. Organizations & Agencies with Wetland Education & Protection Mission___

•State and Federal Agencies• Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources

(www.dnr.state.mi.us)

• Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality(www.deq.state.mi.us/lwm)

• U.S. EPA (epa.gov/owow/wetlands/) • U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (www.fws.gov)

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service(www.nrcs.usda.gov)

• U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (www.usbr.gov)

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (www.usace.army.mil)

Professional OrganizationsSociety of Wetland Scientists (www.sws.org)

Soil & Water Conservation Society (www.swcs.org)

Advocacy & Stewardship Organizations:Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council (www.watershedcouncil.org/)

Michigan Land Use Institute (www.mlui.org)

Protection/Conservation Organizations

The Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org)

Michigan Nature Association (1-810-324-2626)

Keweenaw Land Trust (www.keweenawlandtrust.org)

Summary

3 categories of wetland alteration

Major causes of wetland loss & degradation

Education is essential