Animals may loss access to food sources Wetlands are teeming with life, and animals rely on wetlands to provide them with food. Animals that live in wetlands eat a variety of plants, insects, and fish. When a wetland is destroyed, animals no longer have access to this food source. This can lead to starvation or malnutrition.
Animals my not be able to reproduce Many animals rely on wetlands to breed and raise their young. Wetlands provide animals with a safe place to lay their eggs or give birth. When a wetland is destroyed, animals no longer have this safe place to reproduce. This can lead to population decline.
Overall animals' survival may be threatened Loss of habitat, loss of food sources, loss of reproduction sites - these are all major threats to the survival of wetland animals. Without wetlands, many of these animals will not be able to survive.
Examples
- The loss of wetlands can cause the decline or disappearance of plant and animal species. For example, the California clapper rail, a bird that lives in salt marshes, has declined dramatically due to the loss of its habitat.
- The destruction of wetlands can also harm the water quality of nearby rivers and lakes, as wetlands act as natural filters for pollution.
