Threatened salt marsh habitats
Name(s):
Endangered saltmarsh environments
Threatened eusaline swamp habitats
Threatened wetland habitats of saline swamplands
Nature
Coastal wetlands are under threat especially in Europe from infrastructural development such as esturine barrages for power generation, flood control and water supply. Other threats include the channelisation of wetlands and rivers. The removal of wetland timber has lead to great degradation in the south of the USA.
Background
There has been a considerable loss of the worlds wetlands besides mangroves. The worst affected regions are the USA, Europe and China.
Incidence
It is estimated that 30% to 40% of the coastal wetlands of the USA have been lost; with 24,200ha lost in Florida alone, and California has lost at least two thirds of its coastal wetlands. More has been lost on the east Atlantic coast.
Broader
Value(s)
Type
(D) Detailed problems