Conserving Earth: The State of Wetlands
Louisiana and Texas rank 4th and 5th in the nation in terms of having the most wetlands. However, it’s estimated that half of our wetlands have already been lost. Laura-Ashley Overdyke of the Caddo Lake Institute, talks to Dr. Rachel Fern, the Statewide Wetland Program Manager for Texas Parks and Wildlife, about our unique and irreplaceable wetlands.
Wetlands provide critical ecosystem services, including wildlife habitat, flood storage and control, aquifer recharge, water quality improvement, and human recreational opportunities including boating, paddling, fishing, hunting, birdwatching, hiking, and nature photography. Texas wetlands face intensifying challenges in the coming decades. Dr. Fern’s recent paper on the State of Wetlands can be found at https://tpwd.texas.gov/education/water-education/texaswatersprogram/wetlands-texas-waters-webinar-may-2023.pdf