Wetlands have always been an interesting topic of discussion, depending on who you ask. Developers love the idea of turning the vast, flat land into the next "mall of America" or a gigantic shopping center. But for those who know what is churning in the bottoms and that not so appealing water, it means a lot more than a new outfit. Researchers say that even when developers say they will make a new wetland in replacement of the one they just bulldozed, it isn't all that simple. "In addition to nurturing biodiversity, wetlands purify water, produce fish, store carbon dioxide that would otherwise contribute to global warming, and protect shorelines from floods, storm surges and erosion" (Nuwer). Over time, flora and fauna may return, but we are talking way longer than a year or so. At most, only 77 percent recovery happens in about 100 years. Plants are the slowest thing to recover in a new wetland. When you don't have that much plant life, the food web gets interrupted. Your macro-invertebrates and insects don't have much to eat, affecting your larger predators, and so on. So, just because somebody wants to build a new Belk or Macy's doesn't mean it is going to be good for "everyone"... think of the ducks!
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