Can Wetlands Be Cleared?

The only safe advice available is to manage wetlands in their existing condition in a manner that retains the vegetation, hydrology/water regime, and soils as they exist. ... It is critical, however, to not do anything to convert the wetland, simply because it is dry enough to allow the activity to occur.

What happens if you clear wetlands?

In California, the San Francisco Bay wetland ecosystem is collapsing. ... So when wetlands are removed, the Untied States economy will suffer from a loss of a large amount of environmental income. Wetlands remove 70-90% of entering nitrogen and 80% of entering phosphorus (NCSU Water Quality).

Can wetlands be drained?

Water-level drawdown or drainage of wetlands can produce major changes in soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. ... As wetlands were drained for water control, agriculture, or other uses, the primary processes leading to the development of their organic soils, such as flooding, were removed.