8.4 - Human Impacts on Wetlands & Mangroves

Wetlands are defined as: 

• An area with soil submerged in water for the entire year, with all plants contained below the surface.

• An area with soil submerged in water for at least part of the year, with plants emerging from the surface. 

Wetlands serve as an environment for pollinating species. This is an example of which type of ecosystem service?

• Provisioning

• Regulating

• Supporting

• Cultural

Wetlands serve as a habitat for animals and plants which provide resources for food. This is an example of which type of ecosystem service?

• Provisioning

• Regulating

• Supporting

• Cultural

Wetlands sequester (absorb) Carbon Dioxide and recharge groundwater supplies. This is an example of which type of ecosystem service?

• Provisioning

• Regulating

• Supporting

• Cultural

What types of pollutants can interfere with the health of Wetland Ecosystems?

• Nitrogen & Phosphorus fertilizer

• Petroleum products such as motor oil

• Pesticides

• All of the above are threats to Wetlands

TRUE or FALSE? The development of homes and building can threaten Wetland ecosystems since water is required to cleared. 

• True

• False

TRUE or FALSE? Agriculture has no negative impacts on Wetland ecosystems.

• True

• False

Overfishing would most likely threaten which of the following ecosystem services?

• Regulating - overfishing would not allow for the fish to proper regulate the water system

• Provisioning - overfishing would reduce our food supply

Which of the following are Regulating Ecosystem services of Mangroves?

• providing fish for human consumption

• reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

• providing wood for use as timber and fuel

• providing tourism and source of economic value

Which of the following threats directly impact the Provisioning Ecosystem services of Mangroves? 

• Pollutants killing plants and aquatic life

• Clearing mangroves for aquaculture

• Logging to make room for coastal development

• All of the above would reduce the ability to harvest resources such as fish and wood from Mangroves