The chemicals are then carried down the river and into the Gulf of Mexico. There the chemicals cause algae to over-populate, stripping the water of oxygen and destroying organisms up and down the food chain. Along with chemical fertilizers, destruction of wetlands along the Mississippi River watershed and coastal areas of the Gulf. Scientists are urging both a change in agricultural practices and restoration of these destroyed areas. Without wetlands, it's impossible for harmful compounds like chemical fertilizers to be filtered out of the environment.
Wetlands are also critical for controlling floods.
Like sponges, wetlands absorb heavy rain or snowmelt and slowly release manageable amounts of water back into the surrounding area. This sponge-like ability allows even a small wetland to absorb and hold a surprising amount of water. For example, a prairie pothole just one acre in size can store up to 1.5 million gallons of water. Some wetlands also serve as key seasonal water storage areas. The remarkable sponge-like quality of wetlands means they also prevent devastating flood damage, saving human lives and property.