Why Do Wetlands Matter?
The landscape of New Orleans is part of the wetlands system of southern Louisiana, and the city’s future depends on the health of that regional system.
Why wetlands matter
During storms and hurricanes, the wetlands protect New Orleans from surges in the Gulf of Mexico by absorbing and slowing water. Estimates vary, but scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology suggest that an area of one to four square miles of wetlands between New Orleans and the gulf can reduce a storm surge that threatens the city by one foot (source: Anna Simon, MIT, 20 August 2010). Beyond that, the wetlands support industries that contribute substantially to the city’s economy. READ MORE >>
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