To better understand the reasons for building a wetlands, one must understand the myriad possibilities one allows. Usefull questions to keep in mind when deliberating about constructing a wetlands are, what do we need? and what have we lost? Some possible uses of a constructed wetlands is as follows:
High quality water discharge
Stormwater Treatment
Wildlife Habitat
Fisheries Support
Passive Recreation
Environmental Recreation
Open Space/"Green Belt"
Water Reserve Storage
Groundwater Recharge
Construction Methods Index
Obviously, a wetlands requires water. Where is that water to come from however? Some possibilities:
Stormwater
Wastewater Effluent
Flood water
Groundwater
Precipitation
Of course, a mixture of these is also an idea to consider.
A common concern over wetlands construction is the space neccessary. It is frequently believed that large amounts of open space are unavailible for such use. This is a widely misplaced concern, however, for such land is actually readily available. Here are a few examples of overlooked sources of land:
Agricultural Land
Overtaxed and used
Industrial Land
Reclaimed Flood Plains
Reclaimed Coastal Areas
These are but a few, many more exist. What some may feel inadequate sources of land can often, in fact, make very good wetlands sites.
In addition to the previous uses of a constructed wetlands, there are also a wide array of ecological uses. A constructed wetlands, in many ways, enhances the environment around it, both the flora and fauna. They create havens for a variety of birds and plants, and could be termed "corridors to the community", inviting such ecological activity in to the area. Some places where this might take place if a wetlands was constructed nearby:
Rivers/Streams
Bay Estuaries
Open, Inland Spaces
Riparian Zones
Construction Methods Index
Soil is the foundation of the wetlands. Particular care must be taken in selecting the proper type of soil, as it plays a major part in the function of the wetlands. Various soils are better suited to different tasks, and some of these are:
Soils that suppport
aquatic plants
Soils easy to terra form
Soils which are
chemically active
Soils which allow
percolation
Soils which do NOT allow
percolation
Another key element of any wetlands are the plants that grow in it. There are various types of plants, just as there are various types of soil. Some of the different types and their benefits are:
Plants that Float,
these plants are easy to introduce and make great duck food
Plants that Emerge
from the Sediment, these plants provide shade and oxygen which increases water
quality. They also produce a high volume of plant mass
Plants that remain
under water (submergent plants), these plants make good food
and are great for water quality (they release large amounts of oxygen directly into the
water)
In addition to what types of plants, it is also important to determine exactly where each species will grow. Different placements of plants afford better (or worse) results as far as water treatment goes. Placing plants upon islands creates habits for birds and other organisms. One must also take into account the genetic structures and properties of the specific plants as well. This water scope plan is a full endeavour on it's own right
There is a large number of organizations to contact for help in constructing wetlands, everything from funding, research material, and even actual manpower. Some of these organizations are listed here:
Soil Conservation
Service Ducks Unlimited Nature Conservancy
Local Colleges And
Universities Audubon Society Sierra Club State Wide Quality
Control Agency
Develop an advocay
group for wetland protection, stream enhancement, and wetland construction
Identify a site for a
demonstration project to initiate a program. It is highly important to have an example
that could actually be seen and not just heard about.
Develop a data base of
soil types, precipitation, evaporation, runoff, etc. In essence, learn and list the local
weather patterns, geography, and overall natural conditions. In addition, develop a data
base for all land use activities (GIS Format)
Initiate a nursery for
supplying aquatic plants when the full implementation programs are underway. It takes a
few years to grow these plants and develop their population
These pages are under
construction