The loss of coastal wetlands This article introduces environmental concerns related to the loss of coastal wetlands. The article will discuss the importance of wetlands and the devastation that is occurring due to human activity. Wetlands are an essential element of both our ecological and social environment; conservation will be essential to the preservation of these precious ecosystems. Globally coastal wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate, the problem is that most of society does not realize the value of these precious wetlands. Coastal wetlands play an important role in the coastal ecosystem. “Coastal wetlands provide critical services such as absorbing energy from coastal storms, preserving coastlines, protecting human populations and infrastructure, supporting commercial harvesting of seafood, absorbing pollutants, and serving as critical habitat for migratory bird populations” (Anonymous, 2011). Coastal wetlands represent an economic as well as environmental resource. Human activity is one of the main causes of the disappearance of coastal wetlands. As the human population in coastal cities increases, so does the demand for more land. Urbanization is causing enormous amounts of devastation to existing wetlands. Unrestricted development is causing soil erosion, which dumps foreign sediment into wetlands, polluting the water and disturbing the ecosystem. According to Lee et al. (2006) “Urbanization is a major cause of coastal wetland loss. Urbanization also exerts significant influences on the structure and function of coastal wetlands, primarily through modification of hydrological and sedimentation regimes and the dynamics of nutrients and chemical pollutants.” Development restrictions...... focus of the paper ......the preservation of these precious ecosystems so that future generations can appreciate the serenity and value of wetlands. Works Cited Anonymous, (2011). Many coastal wetlands will likely disappear this century, scientists say Trends in Applied Sciences Research, 6(7), 772. Retrieved September 11, 2011, from ProQuest Central. (Document ID: 2442184441).Hong, S., Koh, C., Harris, R., Kim, J., Lee, J., & Ihm, B.. (2010). Land use in Korean tidal wetlands: impacts and management strategies. Environmental Management, 45(5), 1014-26. Retrieved September 11, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 2036528131). Lee, S. Y., Dunn, R. K., Young, R. A., Connolly, R. M., Dale, P. R., Dehayr, R. R., & ... Welsh, D. T. (2006). Impact of urbanization on the structure and function of coastal wetlands. Southern Ecology, 31(2), 149-163. doi:10.1111/j.1442-9993.2006.01581.x