How to Use Land Conservation to Protect Water Resources
Wetlands are one of the most important, and most endangered, types of ecosystems on the planet. Less than half of the U.S. wetlands believed to have existed in the 1600s exist today, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Water resources in other countries have fared equally as poorly, with Europe having lost more than 70 percent of its wetlands. Wetlands provide valuable flood protection. Wildlife depends upon them, with nearly one half of all U.S. threatened and endangered species relying on their existence at some point in their lives.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Identify the threat. Threats to water resources may be obvious such as dumping or other types of contamination. Note the source and any possible leads for followup or regulatory action.
-
2
Conduct water and soil testing. Some threats may not be evident. Non-point source pollution (NSP) is pollution from diffuse sources, often entering water resources through surface water runoff. Testing can identify the types of pollutants and therefore direct a conservation strategy. Contact the EPA if you suspect contamination.
-
-
3
Protect riparian habitat adjacent to water resources from erosion by planting buffers. Buffers consist of native grasses that will anchor the soil in place, preventing sediment deposition into waterways. Sediment can interfere with the feeding behavior of macro-invertebrates, the base of aquatic food webs.
-
4
Replace impervious surfaces such as sidewalks with plantings of native species to reduce urban runoff. Impervious surfaces negatively impact water resources by providing a means for road contaminants to enter the aquatic environment through runoff. Flood risk increases with the build-up of impervious surface area, increasing the risk of other sources of pollution such as sewage or septic tank overflow.
-
5
Restore wetlands. Wetlands benefit water resources such as streams and lakes by filtering surface water before it can enter waterways. This filtering action reduces the possibility of contamination from NSP and agricultural runoff.
-
6
Apply for assistance from federal or state conservation programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The CRP helps farmers develop strategies to reduce their environmental impact. The EPA identified agricultural runoff as the primary source of water pollution in American waterways.
-
7
Place a conservation easement on the land. A conservation easement allows for permanent protection of land by legally transferring development rights of the property to another entity. Non-profit organizations use conservation easements to protect lands and their water resources by limiting what activity can take place on a given piece of land. Land use is permanently restricted.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Carefully monitor any land use near water resources. Restrict pesticide and fertilizer application that may contaminate aquatic environments.
Always contact your state conservation agency or agricultural extension office before attempting any wetland restoration in case permits or other requirements may be needed.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit snowy egret in wetland image by Steve Marquez from Fotolia.com
