Louisiana

Rebecca Falgoust

When thinking of Louisiana many images come to mind, such as Cajun food, jazz music, and the celebration of Mardi Gras, but the most important environmentally are the scenes of the Louisiana wetlands that grace the Gulf Coastal region of the state. The imagery of marsh, the scattered and barren cypress trees of the swamp, and the murky waters may make one feel uneasy, but these scenes are vital to the stabilization Louisiana’s ecosystem. Louisiana needs these wetlands not only because they symbolize the origin and future of the classic Louisiana image, but because the wetlands serve an important function in our environment as well as our economy.

Wetlands benefit Louisiana by creating better water quality by filtering out the pollutants before they can reach any nearby rivers. The wetlands also create a unique habitat for various Louisiana wildlife and vegetation. Some wildlife can only survive in the wetlands because of the food and the natural environment provided by the swamp and marsh. If the wetlands would be destroyed some species would have to leave the area or face extinction. The soil of the wetlands is also very helpful to the region because it acts like a sponge. When there is excess water, the soil soaks it up so that surrounding areas, possibly inhabited by people, do not flood. This system is particularly useful when a hurricane comes and pushes water inland and up rivers. Another benefit of wetlands is that it helps slow down erosion. Plants that live in these muddy waters are deeply rooted in the soil and slow down the flow of water so there is less soil taken with the water.

Oil companies and Mother Nature’s hurricanes negatively affect Louisiana’s wetlands. Because wetlands have grown weaker from years and years of pollution, they cannot hold up against hurricanes as much as they used to or should be able to sustain. Pollution from various industries, including the oil companies, has made the quality of the soil from the wetlands poorer. The winds of a hurricane create marsh balls out of marsh soil. Marsh balls are balls of mud and decaying plant life that are weaker because of pollution and can be pulled out of the marsh waters by a hurricanes violent wind. The situation is only going to continue to get worse because with global warming increasing, the power of future hurricanes will amplify.

Although Cajun food and Mardi Gras celebrations may be thought of more than the magnificent wetlands by people thinking of Louisiana in the context of social culture, the wetlands continue to be more important to Louisiana’s economy, survival, and therefore culture. Without the wetlands built in natural protection system, Louisiana would not have survived to become the way it is today. If they are not protected in turn by people, Louisiana will drastically change geographically as wells as socially. One of Louisiana’s most prominent cultural scenes will be lost because of the neglect of man and by hurricanes, another cultural beast of an icon for Louisiana.