2: The Nonhuman World

What is a wetland?

Wetlands are lands periodically covered or saturated by fresh or salt water and characterized by, Hydrology (water), Soils, and vegetation (plants). Wetlands can be seasonal or permanent, and are found in landscapes such as depression, coastal shorelines, fringes along running or standing water, and Hawaii’s cloud forests.  

Hawaii’s Wetlands include: Riverine Wetlands, which are surface water systems found along the edge of rives or streams. There is also the Palustrine wetland, where bogs are found in depressions where rain or groundwater collects. In fact, Hawaii’s rare montane bogs take millions of years to form. 

There's also the Marine wetlands, such as intertidal shorelines, seagrass beds, or tidepools, are saltwater systems, and provide habitat for many species harvested by humans for food.

Montane Bog 

Because wetlands are a great importance in our environment, One of the main reasons why we need to protect wetlands is because wetlands can store excess water during heavy rainfall, reducing flood impacts to roads, parking lots and homes. Also, wetlands can store, filter, and absorb excess nutrients, sediments, and pollutants. This reduces the pollution that ends up in stream and marine reef areas. Another important reason of why we need to protect wetlands is because, wetlands are transition zones between upland and deep water habitats where biological communities blend and have increase diversity. And most importantly, wetlands are scenic landscapes that hold cultural and historical significance.

Today, most threats to wetlands have been caused by the human population. Pollution is one of the major threats; Non-point source pollution from septic waste-water, agricultural runoff, and contaminated storm- water can overwhelm the filtering capacity of wetlands, impacting downstream coastal waters. Also many wetlands in Hawaii have been drained or filled for agricultural production, resort development and community expansion. And then there is climate change; raising temperatures lead to raising sea levels and impacts to coastal wetlands.

However, aside from the negative threats, there can be a positive change to help save wetlands. We can always inform ourselves about wetlands, prevent pollution by avoiding using fertilizers and pesticides on lawns and gardens because these chemicals wash into downstream ecosystems. And also, care for wetlands around your area. 

Wetland Identification

wetland and climate change adaptation 

Source: Hawaii/wetlands/wetlandsporter.pdf