The US Environmental Protection Agency is noticing the cost of losing habitats and wetlands to agriculture and development. It seems that the wetlands can naturally degrade some pollutants, settle particulates and provide buffers for some storm water events. As a result, man made wetlands are now being constructed. Two types are being made: subsurface and free water surface. Subsurface is used as storm or waste water treatment system and can maintain water levels underground. Free water surface has exposed water that you see in the wetlands. The creation of the wetlands also provides habitats that were not there before due to destruction. Vegetation is able to flourish as well as the wildlife. A bonus in these wetlands is that there are deep and shallow zones of millions of gallons of water. The deep zones provide fish refuge as well as a reservoir of water for firefighters to use. The shallow zones help the vegetation in the area to grow.

            Rebuilding wetlands provides a positive impact for both the human and wildlife population. The wildlife has a place to flourish and grow again without threats. The health of the water is increased through the natural removal of pollutants. Recreation in the area as well as a tourism boost is provided because not only is there a successful wetland, but it was manmade and modeled after the perfect specimen-the original wetlands itself. Wetlands are important and the remaining ones need to preserved no matter what the human needs are. Sprawl in the area can be contained or moved elsewhere in order to protect what is already in place.

Sparks, S (2009).Habitat Creation Using Constructed Wetlands. Land and Water: The Magazine of Natural               Resource Management and Restoration. 53, 20-23.

A former warship, USS Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg, that was used in World War Two and the Cold War has been sunk about seven miles off the Key West coast to create an artificial reef. It was a project commissioned to protect the current reefs from further exploration and damage. It allows these reefs to flourish with out the pressures of fishing and over diving. The artificial reef will be open to all and is expected to last over 100 years with lots of long time habitats of various marine species.   The main intention of the sinking is to protect current reefs, but it will attract many tourists and boost the tourism economy in the area. It will be the second largest intentionally sunk reef in the world. The sinking of the ship was successful and the reef itself is expected to be as well.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/05/27/ship.sinking.reef/

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/AP/story/1073207.html

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-05/31/content_11458853.htm

Go to Article Here

ECOLOGICAL DESIGN MANUAL FOR LAKE COUNTY, Prepared by the EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL, DECEMBER 2001. THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN PREPARED WITH A GRANT FROM THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION, ADVISORY COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (FACEE). http://www.ecfrpc.org/Files/Projects/eco_design_manual.pdf

Comment: Good manul with descriptive graphics.  The more I look for material for this project the more I find!  This manual seem to be well done with good graphics that are easy to understand.  I was surprised that I hadn't seen it until today. Worth checking out and if there are other similar documents out there please let us know.