Image info: Coastal and other wetlands in the United States can be identified online by the Service’s mapping tool. Photo: Wetland in Big Pine Key, FL, by USFWS
Wetlands Map Website Data
Most comprehensive data set yet of wetlands in U.S. states and territories will aid developers, city planners, regulators in advancing wetland conservation, economic development.
Coastal and other wetlands in the United States can also be identified online; now by the Service’s mapping tool. Photo: Wetland in Big Pine Key, FL, by USFWS
This launch coincides with American Wetlands Month; that which begins May 1. That’s again when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is announcing the completion of the most comprehensive and detailed U.S. wetland map data set ever produced. Thereby capping a 35-year effort by the Service to map the extent of the nation’s wetlands.
The Wetlands Inventory Map
(http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper.html) has digitally mapped and made publically available wetlands in the lower 48 states. That’s in addition to Hawaii and dependent territories.
Moreover it also includes 35 % of Alaska and is an invaluable aid to landowners, developers, government planners and also permitting authorities. In addition to conservation organizations and academic institutions. Essentially in their collective efforts to ensure wetland conservation and inform economic development.
Therefore, the completion of this wetlands map dataset marks a significant milestone in national efforts to conserve wetlands in the United States. Speaking was Gary Frazer, the Service’s Assistant Director for Ecological Services. “Wetlands are critical ecosystems that support an astounding diversity of plant and animal life. So providing essential ecological services because wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate.
This online service is a key tool in the ever-more challenging quest to maintain the health of our wetland habitats and the biodiversity they sustain.”
Mapping
Wetlands provide information about habitats for thousands of species of fish, wildlife and plants. That’s because they act as nurseries for many saltwater and freshwater fishes and shellfish of commercial significance. They also provide important ecological services such as flood control, water filtration and the supply of groundwater. Also, they provide recreational and wildlife viewing opportunities for millions of people.
Wetlands are facing numerous, ongoing challenges. For that’s such as agriculture, development and resource extraction. That’s as well as sea level rise, increasing storm severity and also drought due to climate change.
Between 2004 and 2009, the reported average annual rate of wetland loss in the coastal watersheds was 80,160 acres. This demonstrates that the target of “no net loss” to wetlands is not working. That’s because wetlands in coastal areas are declining so the no net less is not yet being achieved.
To access the wetlands data and mapping tool, and learn more about the National Wetlands Inventory, visit: http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/index.html
Source: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
May 1, 2014
