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Missouri has lost approximately 87% of its original wetlands to development – mostly agriculture but increasingly to commercial, industrial and residential development. Many of the remaining wetlands in the state are threatened by development or flood control projects, such as the New Madrid Floodway project.
What is a Wetland?
Wetlands are areas where the soil is covered or saturated with water either constantly or periodically. For regulatory purposes, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act defines wetlands as "areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions." Wetlands include swamps, fens, oxbow lakes, bottomland forests and seasonal ponds.
Common Missouri wetland plants.
The Value of Wetlands
Wetlands are the most productive ecosystems in the world. Wetlands are essential to maintaining healthy watersheds and the water quality of Missouri lakes and streams. Their ecosystem functions include filtering pollutants, recharging and stabilizing underground aquifers and moderating flood waters. They are critical habitat for many rare and dwindling invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds and mammals. Migratory waterfowl of ducks depend on wetlands scattered across the United States and Canada for their existence. Fully 60% of the migratory waterfowl in North America use the Mississippi Flyway and depend on the remaining Missouri wetlands for food and shelter during migration.
A mallard drake takes flight.
Wetlands are exceptional in their scenic beauty. The historic cypress and tupelo swamps in southeast Missouri have been nearly completely destroyed. Big Oak Tree State Park is one of very few remaining fragments of this habitat in the state and is well known for the beauty of its champion trees. Bald eagles can be seen roosting in large cottonwood trees in the bottomland forests along the Mississippi River in the winter time.
The pressure to convert wetlands to agricultural production or commercial and residential uses near urban areas remains high. MCE works constantly to protect our remaining wetlands and restore those that have been destroyed.
How You Can Help
MCE often calls upon members and other concerned citizens to submit comments concerning wetlands fill permits or proposed regulations. Sign up for email alerts that will give you information about opportunities to help. You can help even more by becoming a member of MCE. Members give MCE standing to engage in litigation to protect endangered wetlands. Click Here to Join MCE! |
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