8.4 Human Impacts on Wetlands and Mangroves

Describe the impacts of human activity on wetlands and mangroves.

• Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, either part or all of the time.
• Wetlands provide a variety of ecological services, including water purification, flood protection, water filtration, and habitat.
• Threats to wetlands and mangroves include commercial development, dam construction, overfishing, and pollutants from agriculture and industrial waste.
• Enduring understanding STB-3: Human activities, including the use of resources, have physical, chemical, and biological consequences for ecosystems.