Wetland Destruction in Michigan
What is a Wetland?
Definition of a Wetland
"Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season. Water saturation (hydrology) largely determines how the soil develops and the types of plant and animal communities living in and on the soil. Wetlands may support both aquatic and terrestrial species. The prolonged presence of water creates conditions that favor the growth of specially adapted plants (hydrophytes) and promote the development of characteristic wetland (hydric) soils." - EPA
Wetland Destruction in Michigan :
"In total over 5,600,000 acres of wetlands have been damaged or destroyed in Michigan. Our realization of wetland values is relatively new. Wetlands were formerly thought of as areas of pestilence that needed be dredged, drained, or otherwise converted to higher use." - Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
5,600,000 acres is equivalent to :
The State of Rhode Island 5 times
- OR -
The States of Delaware and Connecticut combined
- OR -
The entire State of New Jerset
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