Which statement best explains what happened to wetland resources and ecosystem services after the 1970s in the U.S.?
Increased knowledge of the role of wetlands in preserving ecosystem services led to policies to restore and protect wetlands.
The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, passed in 1980, required the destruction of all wetlands throughout the U.S.
Wetlands began to deplete groundwater, leading to policies that favored draining wetlands.
Flooding due to wetlands led to a decrease in the number of wetlands.
Increased knowledge of the role of wetlands in preserving ecosystem services led to policies to restore and protect wetlands.
Which term best describes a process that supports human life and economies at no cost to humans?(1 point)
natural resource
ecosystem service
biodiversity
externality
Which term best describes a process that supports human life and economies at no cost to humans?
natural resource
ecosystem service
biodiversity
externality
okay no answer from bot, eh it's fine, should be easy to figure out lol
The statement that best explains what happened to wetland resources and ecosystem services after the 1970s in the U.S. is: "Increased knowledge of the role of wetlands in preserving ecosystem services led to policies to restore and protect wetlands."
The statement that best explains what happened to wetland resources and ecosystem services after the 1970s in the U.S. is:
"Increased knowledge of the role of wetlands in preserving ecosystem services led to policies to restore and protect wetlands."
To understand why this statement is the best explanation, we need to examine the context of wetland conservation efforts during this time period.
In the 1970s, there was a growing recognition of the importance of wetlands in providing numerous ecosystem services, such as water filtration, flood regulation, and habitat for wildlife. Wetlands act as natural sponges that absorb and store excess water, reducing the impacts of floods and storm surges. They also filter sediments and pollutants, helping to improve water quality. Additionally, wetlands provide habitat for numerous plant and animal species, contributing to biodiversity conservation.
As the importance of wetlands became more widely understood, policies were implemented to restore and protect wetlands. One significant policy was the establishment of the U.S. Clean Water Act in 1972, which included provisions for wetland protection. This legislation aimed to regulate the discharge of pollutants into U.S. waters, covering wetlands as an essential part of the water ecosystem. The Clean Water Act mandated the issuance of permits for activities that could impact wetlands. This requirement helped to prevent the destruction or degradation of wetlands through activities such as dredging, filling, and drainage.
Furthermore, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an international treaty, was adopted in 1971. The treaty's objective is the conservation and wise use of wetlands globally. This international commitment also influenced wetland conservation efforts within the U.S. and emphasized the importance of wetland protection for ecosystem services.
In contrast, the other statements provided as options do not align with the overall trend of wetland conservation and restoration efforts that occurred after the 1970s. The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1980 did not require the destruction of all wetlands throughout the U.S. It primarily focused on establishing programs for flood control, watershed management, and soil erosion prevention. The statement suggesting that wetlands began depleting groundwater and that policies favored their draining does not accurately reflect the understanding and efforts to protect wetlands during this period. Finally, the statement implying that flooding due to wetlands resulted in a decrease in the number of wetlands contradicts the fact that wetlands act as natural flood regulators and that policies were established to protect them.
In summary, the statement that best explains what happened to wetland resources and ecosystem services after the 1970s in the U.S. is that increased knowledge of the role of wetlands in preserving ecosystem services led to policies to restore and protect wetlands.