Wetlands are Infrastructure

The climate is getting hotter, but wetlands can keep us cool(er).​

 

Wetlands are natural carbon sinks. The density of organic matter within the living components of a wetland and the highly organic soil take carbon from the air and bury it into sediments. Wetlands cover only 6% of the planet, yet store 15% of carbon in their soils. While wetlands do release methane naturally through anaerobic decomposition, the rate of carbon production is high enought that they are a net carbon sink. On a global scale, wetlands represent a powerful tool to slow climate change.

 

On a local scale, wetlands have the potential to provide cooling as well. Shade trees along riverbanks, for example, have a cooling effect that can lower stream and river temperatures. Climate change has been blamed for rising river and lake temperatures in Europe, while industry and wastewater treatment also contributes warm discharge, hastening these effects.  In Oregon, wetland trees are being used as mitigation for wastewater treatment, in an innovative ecosystem service trading platform implemented by The Freshwater Trust. Trees provide cooling necessary for endangered salmon species, who are sensitive for small fluctuations in water temperature, replacing the need for a mechanical chiller. The project supplies many additional benefits to wildlife, as well as the local community who provide the installation and maintenance labor.