Louisiana today (top) and the worst case scenario for 2100 (bottom). From National Geographic.
A new study out predicts that the Louisiana could lose 6,000 to 9,000 miles (10,000 to 15,000 kilometers) coastline. Catholicgauze has been following this issue for a while. The numbers in this study are probably too high (it factors in catastrophic climate change) but its main point is accurate: the loss of the Mississippi Delta and the swampy coast is bad news for wildlife and humans. Little towns of rich, Arcadian culture will be lost. As will the swamps that do much to absorb storms and protect oil industry and New Orleans from storms.
The coast line's biggest threat has been eating away at the swamps for decades. Dams on the Mississippi, Missouri, and other rivers have prevented coastal regenerating sediment from counteracting erosion. The results have been devastating.
The coastline of Louisiana needs to be saved for wildlife, culture, industry, and above all people.
2 comments:
Whenever man alters the physical geography, the result is always detrimental to him, the flora and the fauna...the term 'Mississippi Delta' is erroneous in this use. It should be the Mississippi River delta...The Mississippi Delta is the alluvial plain in W and NW Mississippi; E, NE and SE Louisiana; NE, E, ECentral and SE Arkansas; SE Missouri; the extreme western area of Tennessee and Kentucky immediately E of the Missippi River; and portions of W and SW Illinois.
Anonymous,
I disagree. Converting the Imperial Valley into farmland by water engineering, reclaiming the coast of the Netherlands, draining malarial swamps in Panama all have had positive outcomes.
Also, I do see your point with the delta bit; however, when one uses "the X" it can imply X is a river. Think of saying things like "the Colorado runs through the grand canyon" or "the Missouri divides the state of South Dakota into two."
Post a Comment