Development and urban sprawl have caused the destruction of North America's wetlands. Is preservation helping to reestablish them? Freshwater tidal wetland at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Andrea Gingerich/iStockPhoto Dear EarthTalk: What is the status of wetlands in North America? Years ago I remember that wetlands loss, due to development and sprawl, was accelerating fast, but I haven’t heard much on the topic of late. -- John Mossbarger, La Jolla, CA Wetlands serve as primary habitat for thousands of wildlife species—from ducks to beavers to insects—and form an important ecosystem link between land and water. They also play a key role in maintaining water quality, as they filter out agricultural nutrients and absorb sediments so that municipal water supplies don’t have to. On and near...
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