Protecting Our Precious Resources
Wetlands and water resources provide not only aesthetic value, but environmental and economic value as well. Wetlands act like sponges, providing flood protection by absorbing excess water. They also filter impurities out of water.
However, as precious as they are, our wetlands are in trouble. Less than 50% of our natural wetlands still exist due to draining and development. Global warming presents additional threats to our coastlines, threatening additional loss of coastal wetlands.
Another threat to our aquatic resources is pollution from runoff. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identified agricultural runoff as the primary source of water pollution. Runoff floods aquatic resources with pesticides and fertilizers. Let's explore the impacts of runoff to the environment.
Effects of Pesticides on Waterways
Pesticide is a broad term describing an agent with the purpose of controlling or killing a pest. Pesticides can either be selective or non-selective. Selective pesticides have a specific target and don't represent a threat to other organisms. Non-selective pesticides, on the other hand, can harm any organism that comes in contact with them. Needless to say, they present the greatest threat.Pesticide runoff introduces toxins into waterways. Common pollutants include arsenic, mercury, and cyanide. The concern with pesticides is that while we know the effects of some, the long-term impacts of others is not known. Some toxins can accumulate in plant and animal tissues, compounding the effects.
Photo by Matthew Rigdon
Fact:
According to the U.S. EPA, over 300 million pounds of pesticides are applied each year.
Common Pesticides
- metam sodium (Product: Best vapam soil fumigant)
- acetochlor (Product: same)
- malathion (Product: Clean crop 2% malathion grain protector)
- metolachlor (Product: same)
- pendimethalin (Product: Proturf fertilizer plus preemergent weed control)
Identifying Wetland and Aquatic Plants
A Naturalist's Guide to Wetland Plants: An Ecology for Eastern North America
Amazon Price: $17.05 (as of 12/10/2009) 
Wetland Indicators: A Guide to Wetland Identification, Delineation, Classification, and Mapping
Amazon Price: $83.96 (as of 12/10/2009)
Field Guide to the Grasses, Sedges, and Rushes of the United States
Amazon Price: $4.95 (as of 12/10/2009)
Newcomb's Wildflower Guide
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 12/10/2009)
Wetlands
Amazon Price: $78.07 (as of 12/10/2009)
Effects of Pesticides on Humans and Animals
Pesticides have potentially deadly effects for both people and animals. Consider these facts:- Of the 27 most commonly used pesticides, the EPA lists 15 as carcinogens.
- A study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture concluded that 70 percent of produce samples surveyed tested positive for pesticides.
- According to a recent U.S. Geological Survey study, up to 60 percent of wells contained at least one pesticide.
Photo by bubor
Resources
- Pesticide Database
- Check the toxicity of pesticides
- Ten Reasons Not To Use Pesticides
- More information on the toxic effects
- Natural Resources Defense Council
- Great resource for environmental information
- American Bird Conservancy
- Effects of pesticides on birds
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Effects of Fertilizers In Waterways
This imbalance can trigger what is known as algal blooms. An algal bloom is a sudden explosion of algae growth in a water resource. As the plants die, bacteria decomposes the organic matter. It's a cycle that feeds on itself. As more plants die, more bacteria develops. As more bacteria develop, the concentrations of dissolved oxygen in the water begin to decrease. If levels continue to fall, soon plant and fish kill will occur. The water body becomes what is known as an aquatic dead zone.
Fact:
According to the ASPCA, over 30,000 pet poisonings each year related to pesticide use.
Common Pesticides Classified As Carcinogens
- metam sodium (Product: Best vapam soil fumigant)
- acetochlor (Product: same)
- malathion (Product: Clean crop 2% malathion grain protector)
- metolachlor (Product: same)
- pendimethalin (Product: Proturf fertilizer plus preemergent weed control)
Making Your Garden Grow the Natural Way
WOLF-Garten 3226004 Push-Pull Weeder
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 12/10/2009)
Speedy Weedy
Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 12/10/2009)
The Basic Book of Organic Gardening
Amazon Price: (as of 12/10/2009)
Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: The Indispensable Green Resource for Every Gardener
Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 12/10/2009)
Fact
According to a study by Cornell University, pollution is the cause of over 40 percent of worldwide deaths.
More Resources
- Wildflower Information.org
- Identifying wildflowers
- U.S. EPA
- Information about wetlands
- Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides
- Great resource about the impact of pesticides
Exploring the Great Outdoors
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There are alternatives to pesticide use including organic gardening and integrated pest management.
by wayfarer
My name is Chris. I am a Minnesota artist, specializing in watercolor landscapes of the North Country. Weborg Lodge combines two of my passions - pain...
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