releases (Mitsch and Gosselink 68). Oil can alter reproduction, growth, and behavior of wetland organisms, and can result in mortality. Plants suffocate when oil blocks their stomata (Winter 100).Urbanization in Northwest Ohio has caused drastic negative effects on the local environment. In Ohio, over 90% of the original wetlands have been destroyed. (Sheildcastle). Urbanization places a higher demand on the water table. As population grows the water table lowers to keep up with the demand for water. Lowering the water table encourages water in the wetland to flow else where, Such as rivers, stream, lakes, and eventually the ocean. This causes flooding and saturation of the soil downstream, because of the excess water. Therefore, dams and preservation techniques must be instituted to control the unnatural lowering of the water table. Even minimal events such as the construction of a new reservoir cause a drastic chain reaction of destructive proportions to take place within an ecosystem.An important wetland is McGee Marsh(the largest wetland in Ohio). It is located between Toledo and Port Clinton. This area is very important to the local environment. A process called fido-remedation controls water quality for humans as well as animals. This natural process is when wetland plants naturally metabolize water and absorb heavy metals such as: lead, iron, and aluminum. This process has relatively a small effect on the wetland plants, because of their reproduction rates. Moreover, the cleaning process is vital for certain wetland species to survive, because they have a low tolerance to hazardous materials (Beatty). When asked about specific species he stated, "Its important to realize the most species are affected indirectly." He cited that stream trout have a very low threshold to foreign materials and although they live in streams a significant amount on water comes from wetlands, where water is naturally filtrated. Thus, w...
