Wetlands Archives - State of the Planet

She’s on a Mission to Plumb the Secrets of New York’s Disappearing Wetlands

Botanist and climate scientist Dorothy Peteet has been in the business digging deep into bogs, marshes and fens for more than 40 years, revealing natural and human histories going back thousands of years, and their role in changing climate. A final frontier: the obscure remains of New York City’s once widespread coastal wetlands.

by |November 16, 2023

The Fifth National Climate Assessment: Change Is Here, but There Is Hope

The Fifth National Climate Assessment was released today. The message: change is here, but immediate action can avert the worst impacts.

by |November 14, 2023
wetland in indiana

For Wetland Plants, Sea Level Rise Stamps Out Benefits of Higher CO2

The beneficial effects of rising CO2 for plants disappear 
under flooding, a 33-year field experiment reveals.

by |May 19, 2022
flooded wetland

Losing a Hectare of Wetlands Could Cost $8,000 Per Year in Flood Damages

New findings may help inform discussions as the Supreme Court takes up a case that could limit wetland protections under the Clean Water Act.

by |January 28, 2022

Natural Climate Solutions: Why We Need Them

Natural climate solutions offer cost-effective ways to reduce carbon emissions, provide ecosystem benefits, and increase resiliency to climate change impacts.

by |September 23, 2021
wetland in indiana

You Asked: Do Artificial and Enhanced Wetlands Work?

A paleoecologist explains why it’s actually a bad idea to “drain the swamp.”

by |October 4, 2019

What Are the Hidden Co-Benefits of Green Infrastructure?

A new study compares how 14 types of green infrastructure contribute to 22 potential benefits for urban communities.

by |September 3, 2019
Small glass vials containing seeds.

Tools of the Trade: A Peek Inside the Bog-Coring Lab of Dorothy Peteet

What’s a bog corer? And how do seeds help scientists learn about the earth’s past? A paleoecologist explains the most important items in her toolkit.

by |December 19, 2018
maps of jamaica bay marshes

Urbanization is Cutting Off Life Support to NYC’s Wetlands

New study reveals surprising facts behind a shrinking wetland, and suggests remedies.

by |September 24, 2018
map showing coastal ramsar wetlands sites in Mexico at risk from 0-1 meter sel level rise

The Impact of Sea Level Rise on Coastal Wetlands

An analysis of coastal wetlands loss from sea level rise that was conducted for the Ramsar Convention’s Scientific and Technical Review Panel provides estimates of wetland losses as a basis for identifying potential adaptation measures.