Official Numbers List
Any student of the changes that are happening to America's WETLAND knows that there are conflicting numbers floating about everywhere. They are spoken every moment of every day, and are posted on a variety of wetsites. We hear them on radio, TV, and read them in the newspaper. The following is a listing of important numbers and data that are most frequently used when people try to communicate the dire straights of the gradual demise of America's WETLAND.
Many experts have contributed to this list, and it should be viewed as a living document, i.e., as new information and/or interpretations become available, the Official Numbers List will be edited. Please consult this page anytime you need the most up-to-date numbers regarding changes in America's WETLAND.
The LCA area now has 5727 sq mi of wetlands.
Loss rate:
- 1956-78 – 39 sq mi = 25,000 acres
- 1990-2000 – 24 sq mi = 15,360 acres
- 1956-2000 – 27 sq mi = 17,280 acres (John Barras, personal communication, 4-22-05)
Loss over time:
- 1932-2000 – 1900 sq mi = 1.2 million acres = Delaware
- 2000-2050 – 700 sq mi = 448,000 acres = Washington, DC/Baltimore Metro area
According to Field et al. (1991), the continental U.S. (lower 48 states) has the following acreage:
- Forested & scrub/shrub 17,300,000 acres
- Fresh marsh 4,500,000 acres
- Non-fresh (tidal) marsh 4,000,000 acres
- TOTAL 25,800.000 acres
According to USGS & LDWF, Louisiana has the following acreage:
- Forested & scrub/shrub 1,150,000 acres
- Fresh marsh 878,000 acres
- Non-fresh (tidal) marsh 1,630,000 acres
- TOTAL 3,670,000 acres
Thus, in the continental U.S., Louisiana accounts for 26% of total marshes and 40% of coastal tidal marshes.
If one includes all coastal wetlands (marshes, mangroves, forested wetlands), then Louisiana has 14% of the total in the continental U.S.
Louisiana is now experiencing 90% of the total coastal marsh loss in the continental U.S.
Louisiana’s Hot Spot – Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary:
- 1956-78 – 43% of Louisiana’s loss
- 1978-90 – 61% of Louisiana’s loss
- 1990-00 – 66% of Louisiana’s loss
- 2000-50 – projected to 80% of Louisiana’s loss
WHAT INFRASTRUCTURE VALUE IS AT RISK IF WE DO NOTHING? If America’s WETLAND continues to erode at present rates, $103 billion in assets will experience increased flood risks.
DO WE KNOW THE VALUES OF THE PRODUCTIVITY OF AMERICA'S WETLAND BETWEEN NOW AND 2050? It is often said that the values of America's WETLAND over that period of time is $300 billion. There is no study that coorborates that figure, and no one claims it as fact. However, America's WETLAND has very high value to the nation.
NEW ORLEANS DOES NOT STORE 100,000 (or, any) BODY BAGS IN CASE OF A MAJOR HURRICANE.