Louisiana wetlands likely harmed by Gustav
Although a number of sources have noted that coastal wetlands helped reduce the impacts of Hurricane Gustav, little has come out yet on the impact the hurricane did to those remaining wetlands. USA Today has an article today that states:
"Though Hurricane Gustav seemed to spare New Orleans a repeat of 2005's catastrophic damage, it is likely to have done irrevocable damage to the area's wetlands."
"Besides breaking up marshes with its powerful waves and winds, Gustav could destroy miles of wetlands by depositing Gulf of Mexico saltwater into the freshwater marshes, Graves said. The salt quickly desecrates the freshwater marshes.
"It's like pouring salt on your front yard — it's going to kill your grass," he said.
Louisiana's wetlands and sandy barrier islands are buffers against hurricanes. The cypress swamps break up tidal surges and slow a storm's speed, said Aaron Giles of the Gulf Restoration Network, a New Orleans-based environmental group.
Louisiana loses about 15 square miles of coast a year, according to the National Wetlands Research Center in Lafayette. An additional 217 square miles were mauled by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, according to center statistics.
An estimated 10,000 miles of transport canals dug by oil and gas companies over several decades have also contributed to coastal erosion and accelerated the vanishing of cypress marshes, Giles said." Read the rest of the article (before I violate rules on quoting copyrighted material more)here SeEtta
"Though Hurricane Gustav seemed to spare New Orleans a repeat of 2005's catastrophic damage, it is likely to have done irrevocable damage to the area's wetlands."
"Besides breaking up marshes with its powerful waves and winds, Gustav could destroy miles of wetlands by depositing Gulf of Mexico saltwater into the freshwater marshes, Graves said. The salt quickly desecrates the freshwater marshes.
"It's like pouring salt on your front yard — it's going to kill your grass," he said.
Louisiana's wetlands and sandy barrier islands are buffers against hurricanes. The cypress swamps break up tidal surges and slow a storm's speed, said Aaron Giles of the Gulf Restoration Network, a New Orleans-based environmental group.
Louisiana loses about 15 square miles of coast a year, according to the National Wetlands Research Center in Lafayette. An additional 217 square miles were mauled by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, according to center statistics.
An estimated 10,000 miles of transport canals dug by oil and gas companies over several decades have also contributed to coastal erosion and accelerated the vanishing of cypress marshes, Giles said." Read the rest of the article (before I violate rules on quoting copyrighted material more)here SeEtta
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