From Wastelands to Wetlands: The Story of Coastal Wetlands in the United States

Abstract

Covering about 40 million acres of the United States, coastal wetlands are incredibly important ecosystems for humans and non-humans alike. Each year, coastal wetlands provide significant benefits due to their ability to protect coastlines from storm damage, sequester large amounts of carbon, and provide habitat for ecologically and economically valuable wildlife. Unfortunately, coastal wetlands are being lost at a rate of 80,000 acres per year, equivalent to 7 football fields lost per hour. This loss is largely driven by human development and related activities, as well as the effects of climate change and sea level rise. This project seeks to answer the question of how we got to this point of loss by discussing the ways humans have used coastal wetlands in the Eastern and Gulf Coasts of the United States throughout history, as well as analyzing the way entertainment media’s negative portrayal of wetlands has helped to form a negative association with wetlands in the eyes of the public.