Since 1932 Louisiana has been losing approximately twenty four square miles of it's coastal wetlands per year.
which process is least responsible for this loss of land?
a) saltwater intrusion
b) the building of levees
c) the building of canals
d) falling sea levels
Falling sea levels? I thought they were rising.
a saltwater intrusion
Zack recorded information about a local bayou after a heavy rain.
Which piece of information would be classified as a description?
To determine which process is least responsible for the loss of land in Louisiana's coastal wetlands, let's analyze each option:
a) Saltwater intrusion: This refers to the movement of saltwater into freshwater areas. In the case of coastal wetlands, saltwater intrusion occurs when rising sea levels result in the intrusion of saltwater into the wetlands. This process certainly contributes to land loss as it damages the vegetation and soil. Therefore, saltwater intrusion is not the least responsible for the loss of land.
b) Building of levees: Levees are structures built to control water levels and prevent flooding. While levees can reduce the risk of flooding, they also disrupt the natural sediment flow, which is crucial for maintaining wetland health. This disruption can lead to increased erosion and land loss. Therefore, the building of levees is a contributing factor to the loss of land.
c) Building of canals: Canals are man-made waterways that are often used for shipping or drainage purposes. Building canals alters the natural hydrology of wetland areas, disrupting water flow and sediment deposition. This disturbance can accelerate land loss as it erodes the wetland edges and allows saltwater intrusion. Thus, the building of canals is also a significant factor in the land loss.
d) Falling sea levels: Falling sea levels would typically have a mitigating effect on land loss, as it would potentially reduce saltwater intrusion. However, it is important to note that sea levels have been rising globally due to climate change, which increases the risk of saltwater intrusion and land loss. Therefore, falling sea levels are not responsible for the land loss in Louisiana's coastal wetlands.
Based on this analysis, the process least responsible for the loss of land in Louisiana's coastal wetlands would be d) falling sea levels. However, it's important to emphasize that sea levels are actually rising, not falling, and they play a significant role in the ongoing land loss. The primary drivers of land loss in Louisiana's coastal wetlands are a combination of saltwater intrusion, the building of levees, and the building of canals.