Wading Right in: Discovering the Nature of Wetlands

Wetlands are complex habitats that play vital ecological roles, and Catherine Owen Koning and Sharon M. Ashworth's book "Wading Right In" explores them through stories from the people who wade in the muck. The authors uncover the inextricably entwined relationships between water flows, natural chemistry, soils, flora, and fauna, and tales of efforts to protect rare orchids, restore salt marshes, and preserve sedge meadows. The United States still loses wetlands at a rate of 13,800 acres per year, which diminishes water quality, flood control, climate change mitigation, and biodiversity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 19 July 2019
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Wetlands are complex habitats that play vital ecological roles, and Catherine Owen Koning and Sharon M. Ashworth take us on a journey into these habitats through stories from the people who wade in the muck. Traveling alongside scientists, explorers, and kids with waders and nets, the authors uncover the inextricably entwined relationships between the water flows, natural chemistry, soils, flora, and fauna of our floodplain forests, fens, bogs, marshes, and mires. Tales of mighty efforts to protect rare orchids, restore salt marshes, and preserve sedge meadows become portals through which we visit major wetland types and discover their secrets, while also learning critical ecological lessons.

The United States still loses wetlands at a rate of 13,800 acres per year, which diminishes the water quality of our rivers and lakes, depletes our capacity for flood control, reduces our ability to mitigate climate change, and further impoverishes our biodiversity. Koning and Ashworth's stories captivate the imagination and inspire the emotional and intellectual connections we need to commit to protecting these magical and mysterious places.

Wetlands are not just a place to visit, but they are also a source of inspiration and hope. They remind us of the power of nature to heal and restore, and they inspire us to take action to protect these precious ecosystems. By wading right in, we can become part of the solution and help ensure that wetlands remain a vital part of our planet for generations to come.

Weight: 380g
Dimension: 154 x 229 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226554358