1. Protecting the Louisiana Wetlands By Danielle Karacsony and Deirdre Sheridan

2. The Problem In the past few years, the wetlands in Louisiana have receded. This erosion is destroying the habitats of many animals. The wetlands are important to Louisiana because the land provides natural defense against hurricanes. The receding wetlands affect not only the ecology of Louisiana but the economy as well.

3. What Caused This Problem? Destructive storms Destructive storms Development of land Development of land Levees along Mississippi River Levees along Mississippi River

4. Issues That Can Occur if This Problem is Not Addressed Storm surges Storm surges Flooding Flooding Destruction of habitat Destruction of habitat Destruction of human infrastructure Destruction of human infrastructure Destruction of environment Destruction of environment Species dying out/extinction Species dying out/extinction

5. Effects of Hurricane Katrina

6. Problems That Have Already Occurred When hurricanes travel over water, they become more powerful. When they travel over land, they can lose power. Therefore, the wetlands provided a natural buffer against severe storms. Since the wetlands are receding, hurricanes and tropical storms are becoming more powerful and causing more damage.

7. Matter Cycles Affected Water Cycle Water Cycle Carbon Cycle Carbon Cycle

8. Biotic/Abiotic Factors Fish Fish Shellfish Shellfish Salamanders Salamanders Frogs Frogs Turtles Turtles Snakes Snakes Alligator Alligator Sea grasses Sea grasses Plants Plants Climate: Climate: –Humid –Rainy –Hot Water Water Wet, sandy soil Wet, sandy soil

9. Symbiotic Relationships Alligator eating a fish – Predation Alligator eating a fish – Predation Plant sucking nutrients from a tree – Parasitism Plant sucking nutrients from a tree – Parasitism Frogs and birds compete for same food – Competition Frogs and birds compete for same food – Competition

12. Our Solution Main Goal: to rebuild the wetlands Main Goal: to rebuild the wetlands –Adding sediment to marshlands –Creating a Spillway –Adding Foliage to wetlands (ie. Donations of Christmas trees) Timeline: Approximately 20 years Timeline: Approximately 20 years

13. Why It’s Worth It Jobs can be created Jobs can be created Anyone can help Anyone can help Can get local and countrywide support Can get local and countrywide support Television and print campaigns can be created Television and print campaigns can be created If plan is not followed, more damage can occur with every hurricane If plan is not followed, more damage can occur with every hurricane

14. Why It Will Work For every 2.7 miles of wetlands, storm surges will be reduced by 1 foot For every 2.7 miles of wetlands, storm surges will be reduced by 1 foot Repairing erosion will help New Orleans avoid further hurricane damage Repairing erosion will help New Orleans avoid further hurricane damage Highway flooding will decrease Highway flooding will decrease

15. Maintaining the Plan About $14 billion is needed for this project About $14 billion is needed for this project Can obtain the money through: Can obtain the money through: –Grants –Private donations –Taxes Advertising and government support to promote the plan Advertising and government support to promote the plan Jobs Jobs

16. Possible Complications Lack of local support Lack of local support Lack of funds Lack of funds Some oppose the rebuilding of the wetlands because hurricanes naturally deposit some sediment to wetlands Some oppose the rebuilding of the wetlands because hurricanes naturally deposit some sediment to wetlands Some oppose the rebuilding & rebirth of New Orleans, because it is located in a naturally flooded area Some oppose the rebuilding & rebirth of New Orleans, because it is located in a naturally flooded area

17. Sources http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/images/0112-13.jpg http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/images/0112-13.jpg http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/images/0112-13.jpg http://knowledge.allianz.com/nopi_downloads/images/katrina_broken-levee_quer.jpg http://knowledge.allianz.com/nopi_downloads/images/katrina_broken-levee_quer.jpg http://knowledge.allianz.com/nopi_downloads/images/katrina_broken-levee_quer.jpg http://www.katrinadestruction.com/images/d/3299- 5/flooded+neighborhoods+new+orleans http://www.katrinadestruction.com/images/d/3299- 5/flooded+neighborhoods+new+orleans http://www.katrinadestruction.com/images/d/3299- 5/flooded+neighborhoods+new+orleans http://www.katrinadestruction.com/images/d/3299- 5/flooded+neighborhoods+new+orleans http://www.katrinadestruction.com/images/d/16659-4/Img_19kd38-slidell-aerial-image- lr1 http://www.katrinadestruction.com/images/d/16659-4/Img_19kd38-slidell-aerial-image- lr1 http://www.katrinadestruction.com/images/d/16659-4/Img_19kd38-slidell-aerial-image- lr1 http://www.katrinadestruction.com/images/d/16659-4/Img_19kd38-slidell-aerial-image- lr1 http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/most-destructive-storms-3.jpg http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/most-destructive-storms-3.jpg http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/most-destructive-storms-3.jpg http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Water/images/water_cycle_usgs_big.jpg http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Water/images/water_cycle_usgs_big.jpg http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Water/images/water_cycle_usgs_big.jpg Sohn, Emily. "Saving Wetlands." Science News For Kids. Society for Science & the Public, 6 Apr 2005. Web. 7 Jun 2010.. Sohn, Emily. "Saving Wetlands." Science News For Kids. Society for Science & the Public, 6 Apr 2005. Web. 7 Jun 2010.. "Coastal Louisiana." National Wildlife Federation. 2010. National Wildlife Federation. Web. 26 May 2010. "Coastal Louisiana." National Wildlife Federation. 2010. National Wildlife Federation. Web. 26 May 2010. Young, Robert S, and David M Bush. "Force Marsh." New York Times 27 Sep 2005, Print. Young, Robert S, and David M Bush. "Force Marsh." New York Times 27 Sep 2005, Print. "Barrier Islands and Wetlands." Louisiana Hurricane Resources. Louisiana Sea Grant College Program. Web. 26 May 2010. "Barrier Islands and Wetlands." Louisiana Hurricane Resources. Louisiana Sea Grant College Program. Web. 26 May 2010. Sullivan, Bob. "Wetlands erosion raises hurricane risks." msnbc (2005): n. pag. Web. 7 Jun 2010.. Sullivan, Bob. "Wetlands erosion raises hurricane risks." msnbc (2005): n. pag. Web. 7 Jun 2010.. "Hurricane Katrina Photographs August 30, 2005." USGS National Wetlands Research Center. 24 May 2010. USGS. Web. 7 Jun 2010. "Hurricane Katrina Photographs August 30, 2005." USGS National Wetlands Research Center. 24 May 2010. USGS. Web. 7 Jun 2010.