Loyola University – Research with Louisiana Wetlands

Hello y’all! My name is Julia L. Henke and I am one of the Brazilians that are studying biology at Loyola University New Orleans. You have no idea how happy I am to be here! It is awesome! 

Last month I had the opportunity to learn about the loss of Louisiana wetlands in a seminar presented by Dr. Robert A. Thomas. I got really interested about the topic and in his research. 

The state of Louisiana contains more than 40% of the United States’ wetlands, with 2.5 million acres of marshes and 637,400 acres of forested wetlands. Because of its characteristics and functions, wetlands have wide influence on nation’s economic, social and ecological wellness. First, the Louisiana wetlands provide habitat for a variety of mammals, fishes, amphibians and migratory waterfowl. For example, it is the habitat for six federally listed threatened and endangered species, including the bald eagle and the brown pelican. In addition, it helps to conserve Louisiana’s water. During rains, floods and storms, wetlands catch and slowly distribute surface water into aquifers, streams and bayous. Marshes, forested wetlands and barrier islands also reduce storm and erosion damage because it absorbs immense quantity of wave energy. As wetlands and barrier islands disappear, the damage will be worst. Besides, the characteristics of water, wildlife and soil contribute to business, recreation and tourism in Louisiana. These values are the basis of Louisiana’s economy, and about 25 percent of the nation’s total fishery production and 40 percent of the nation’s wild fur harvests come from Louisiana’s coastal wetlands. It is clear those wetlands’ environmental services or ecological functions result in economic, cultural and social benefits, which make it irreplaceable.

 Although, these extreme vital lands are at huge risk. No other place on earth is disappearing as rapidly as the Mississippi River delta, where a football field of land turns into open water every 1 hour. Since 1930, the rate of vegetative wetlands loss in Louisiana is about 25 square miles per year, a lost land area larger than the state of Delaware. In part, this has been a result of natural evolutionary processes, but human activities has a large part of the responsibility for marsh habitat alteration and destruction. For example, dredging wetlands for canals or draining and filling for agriculture, grazing, or development are factors that contributes to intensify and accelerate the process of loss. Therefore, a combination of human activities and natural changes can cause wetland loss. These include subsidence, wave erosion, saltwater intrusion, sea level rise, tropical storms and hurricanes, agricultural conversions, freshwater flow restrictions, and canal and levee construction.  

Dr. Thomas and I have been developing our project about the wetland loss. We are discussing about make a documentary and investigate the complex question in which these lands are inserted. We would go in the habitats and make interviews with fisherman and others to understand better how they feel about it. Therefore, I will develop my critical thinking and explore this issue that has social, scientific, economic, politic, cultural and environmental implications.  It is a good example of trade-offs between humans and their environment, which can be applied to other parts of the world as my home country. I will also learn about the process of filming and editing a documentary, which is amazing!

If you have any questions or comments, I would be pleased to receive your email at julialhenke@gmail.com