agriculture. Some have been inundated or dried up as a result of dams altering river flows; others have had their water diverted for irrigation. Despite some reclamation, wetlands are deteriorating faster than any other ecosystem. Their destruction has a devastating impact on those who live in them and off them. The freshwater fish in inland wetlands provide vital protein for millions of people in developing countries. Attempts have been made to estimate the economic value of wetlands, some of which earn income from tourism and recreational activities as well as providing environmental benefits. In many cases, their worth turns out to be higher than that of the drained land.
The 2,000 km2 of Florida’s swamps represent only a fraction of their original size. In 1947, their ecological value was recognized by the creation of the Everglades National Park, but revival of the ecosystem has been stalled by the Florida sugar industry and farmers. In 2008, the Florida state government showed its commitment to ecological repair with a landmark decision to buy the US Sugar Corporation for $1.75 billion and use its land to restore flows of water to the Everglades from Lake Okeechobee.
The importance of mangroves
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