shellfish affects the wetland food webs.Dams and levees Dams and levees prevent nutrient-rich sediments
from moving downstream and into the
floodplain, negatively affecting a variety of food
webs found in the wetlands. The buildup of
sediments behind dams prevents the sediments
from eventually replenishing sediments lost from
barrier islands and beaches.
Development Drained wetlands destroy natural habitats, which
increases bank erosion and pollution. Dredging
of streams lowers the surrounding water table
and dries up adjacent wetlands. Water is diverted
around wetlands, lowering the water table and
increasing all forms of anthropogenic pollution
(sediment, air, chemical, sewage, litter, etc.).
Freshwater is depleted from wetlands for
residential and commercial purposes.
Grazing Soil compaction, removal of vegetation, and
streambank destabilization are all consequences.
Vegetation plays an important role in wetland
ecology by removing water through
evapotranspiration, altering water and soil
chemistry, providing habitats for wildlife, and
reducing erosion. Removal of vegetation can
drastically and sometimes irreversibly alter
wetland function.
Invasive species Native species cannot always compete with
introduced species. Common invasive species
traits include fast growth, rapid reproduction,
high dispersal ability, tolerance of a wide range
of environmental conditions (i.e., ecological
competence), ability to live off of a wide range
of food types (i.e., generalist), association with
humans, and prior successful invasions.
Logging Logging decreases biodiversity in wetlands as
natural habitats are destroyed. It also increases