Vehicles will be evaluated in June for safety, greenhouse gas impact, acceleration, handling, exhaust emissions, braking, fuel economy, consumer acceptability, trailer towing capacity, off-road performance and other criteria. Savings would come from reducing the amount of byproducts sent to landfills, as well as from development of new uses for this resource. Long recognized for their value as habitat for fish and wildlife, wetlands are becoming increasingly known for their water-cleansing benefits. Wetlands are land areas that are saturated by water frequently enough to support plants and wildlife. Some wetland plants include cattails, swamp milkweed, water lilies and blue flag iris.
Wildlife includes river otters, turtles, muskrats, wood ducks, rails and frogs.
Studies conducted at Ohio State's Olentangy River Wetland Research Park over the past six years have shown that concentrations of phosphorus decreased about 60 percent and nitrogen levels were reduced by one-third as river water passed through the park's wetlands, Mitsch said. These nutrients enter waterways through agricultural and urban runoff and in wastewater from sewage treatment plants, Mitsch said. Excessive amounts of algae can kill fish by reducing the oxygen supply in water and harm underwater vegetation by blocking sunlight. High levels of the form of nitrogen called nitrate can be harmful to humans. Wetlands minimize flooding, add oxygen to water and possibly even absorb some potentially harmful pesticides, Mitsch said.