Water Conservation and Management

With which of the following statements is the author most likely to disagree?

1. Preservation of wetlands is necessary in the interest of biodiversity and long term survival of humanity.
2. Tidal wetlands are as prone to human degradation as the inland non-tidal wetlands.
3. Awareness about the need to protect the wetlands has not filtered across the general populace.

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows:

Wetlands are indeed the vital link between water and land. It is the collective term for marshes, swamps, and bogs, found along the edges of streams, rivers, lakes and coastlines. Wetlands can be found in nearly every country and climatic zone. Indeed wetlands are found from the Tundra to the Tropics and on every continent. They are so varied. Some are wet all the time. Some wetlands are large and some are very small. Many have been altered by human activities such as farming, building of roads, dams and towns. Wetlands are regarded wastelands sources of mosquitoes, flies, snakes and diseases. People had negative views about them and they eliminated them. Original wetlands have been destroyed; some of them have been converted into farmland, some others filled by industrial wastes.
Wetlands vary widely because of topography, climate, hydrology, water chemistry and vegetation. Wetlands are the coastal mangrove forests, lake marshes and seasonally flooded lands along river courses. Palm swamps, sea grass beds, salt flats, and coral reefs are common wetlands. They are of two types: tidal wetlands and non-tidal (inland) wetlands. Tidal wetlands are found along the Atlantic, Pacific, Alaskan and Gulf Coasts. The salt water and fluctuating water levels create a difficult environment. Some plants have adapted to the environment of saline conditions. Inland wetlands are common in the margins of lakes and rivers. They include wet meadows dominated by herbaceous plants, swamps and shrubs and tall trees. The prolonged presence of water favours the growth of specially adapted plants.
States and tribes play a critical role in the protection and management of wetlands. With the growth of education, people have started understanding ecological processes and their attitude towards wetlands have changed. They have recognised the ecological significance of the wetlands; they are a source of valuable natural wealth. They help regulating water levels within watersheds; reduce flood and storm damages; and provide fish and wildlife habitat. They support hunting, fishing and other recreational activities.

Wetlands are the most productive ecosystems in the world. They have been described as biological supermarkets as they provide great volumes of food and attract many animal species. A variety of insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish and mammals are found in these wetlands. Many species of birds, animals, rely on wetlands for food, water and shelter. The microbes, insects and wildlife are part of global cycles for water, nitrogen, and sulphur. They store carbon within their plant communities and thus help to moderate climate conditions.