Wetlands: Nature’s Lifeline and Water Purifier

By Isabel Oertel

Climate change is a global conversation that’s impossible to ignore, but its effects are felt differently across the world. In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, we are experiencing these changes more acutely than many other regions. Our unique environment, shaped by the waters of Lake Superior and wetlands in its watershed, faces increasing threats from rising temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and other climate-related challenges. These ecosystems are not only vital to our way of life, they also play a crucial role in mitigating climate change and supporting biodiversity. As the climate continues to change, it’s more important than ever to understand and protect the natural resources that define the UP, from wetlands to wildlife. By increasing our awareness and commitment to conservation, we can ensure that these invaluable ecosystems remain resilient for future generations.

How UP Wetlands Help Mitigate Climate Change and Promote Biodiversity

Wetlands play a crucial role in mitigating climate change, yet many people are unaware of their true importance. You might be wondering, "what exactly is a wetland?" To simply put it, a wetland is an area of land that is either permanently or seasonally saturated with water. Wetlands are the marshy edges of rivers and lakes, but they’re also the mucky areas in the middle of the forest, even those which are wet only seasonally. These unique ecosystems are much more than just buggy swamps– they are remarkably effective at capturing and storing carbon from the atmosphere. Wetlands act as natural carbon sinks, sequestering carbon in various ways: through the vegetation above ground and below, in the sediment beneath the plants, and even in decomposing plant matter. Additionally, wetlands serve as sediment traps, filtering runoff and preventing the loss of valuable topsoil, making them essential for both climate stability and ecosystem health.

Wetlands also play a critical role in flood control, which is increasingly important as the climate continues to change. We have seen an alternation in precipitation patterns. Rising rainfall and shifting weather trends have led to more frequent and intense flooding in areas that are vulnerable to severe, sometimes irreversible damage. However, wetlands reduce flood risk because they act like sponges. They absorb excess water during heavy rains and slowly release it over time, lessening the impact of floods. The trees, roots, and other vegetation around wetlands work in tandem with wetlands’ water-retaining abilities, helping to slow down and spread floodwaters more gradually, ultimately minimizing damage to surrounding areas.
The Upper Peninsula is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, but the harsh winters can pose significant challenges for many species. During this time, food sources and suitable habitats become scarce, leaving organisms struggling to survive. Despite this, wetlands continue to provide critical refuge for wildlife. Throughout the winter, wetlands act as natural reservoirs by capturing snow and ice as they accumulate. Their sponge-like soils and vegetation help store this moisture rather than letting it run off immediately. When temperatures rise in the spring, wetlands gradually release the meltwater, reducing the risk of flooding and ensuring a steady supply of water to rivers, lakes, and groundwater systems. This slow release is vital for supporting ecosystems during the growing season. By holding onto moisture in winter and regulating its release in spring, wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining water balance year-round.

The Impact of Climate Change on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Ecosystems

Wetlands play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of climate change, but they are also vulnerable to its impacts. Climate change is altering precipitation patterns, increasing the frequency of intense storms and droughts, which can overwhelm or dry out wetlands, disrupting their critical functions. Rising temperatures can also lead to the loss of wetland areas, as warmer conditions cause evaporation or encourage the growth of invasive species that outcompete native wetland plants. This diminishes wetlands’ ability to store carbon and provide habitat for native wildlife. As such, protecting and restoring wetlands is increasingly critical to both climate change mitigation and adaptation. These changes harm biodiversity and ecosystem services that wetlands can provide.

Additionally, the Upper Peninsula’s winter tourism, especially skiing and annual events like sled dog races face growing uncertainty due to warmer winters. For example, the region has experienced shorter snow seasons and more frequent mid-winter thaws, leading to two consecutive cancellations of the annual dog sled races. These disruptions affect not only local traditions but also tourism revenue and the broader economy. Warmer, less predictable winters also mean more erratic snowpack, which impacts how and when water is released during the spring. Wetlands play a crucial role in buffering these changes by absorbing and storing meltwater, then gradually releasing it, helping to reduce flood risks and support water availability even as seasonal patterns shift.

The Critical Role of Wetland Conservation in Combating Climate Change

Wetland conservation plays a crucial role in addressing climate change, with their ability to act as carbon sinks, flood buffers, and water purifiers. Wetlands store large amounts of carbon in their soils and vegetation, significantly reducing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. In fact, wetlands sequester more carbon per unit area than forests, underscoring the importance of their protection in efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. They also absorb excess water during heavy rainfall or floods, slowly releasing it and mitigating flood severity, which is increasingly critical as climate change leads to more extreme weather events. In addition, wetlands filter out pollutants, improving water quality before it reaches larger bodies of water and ensuring clean, accessible water resources—something that will be even more essential as rainfall patterns become more unpredictable due to climate change.

Looking ahead, the future of wetland ecosystems is under increasing threat from both development pressures and the escalating effects of climate change. Urbanization, industrial development, and agricultural expansion continue to expand on wetland areas, reducing their capacity to provide essential services. As sea levels rise and extreme weather events become more frequent, wetlands face further degradation, threatening their ability to function as natural flood buffers and carbon sinks. To secure the future benefits of wetlands, bold conservation efforts are needed, including strengthening policies that protect these areas, implementing restoration projects, and creating sustainable management practices that balance development with environmental preservation.

Future endeavors in wetland conservation will also require increased public awareness and collaboration across sectors. Governments, local communities, businesses, and conservation organizations must work together to create and enforce effective protection measures. Additionally, advancing research on wetland restoration techniques and their role in climate adaptation will be key. Restoring degraded wetlands and enhancing their resilience to climate change will not only help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions but also provide more robust protection against flooding, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss.

Looking toward the future, we must also consider how wetlands can play a pivotal role in climate adaptation strategies. For example, integrating wetlands into urban planning could reduce the vulnerability of cities to flooding while enhancing biodiversity. At the same time, we must ensure that wetland conservation is a priority in global climate policy frameworks. As nations work toward carbon neutrality, wetlands should be recognized not just as areas to protect, but as vital ecosystems that can support our collective efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

By safeguarding and restoring these ecosystems, we can ensure that wetlands continue to provide critical benefits for future generations. The challenge will be balancing conservation with the pressures of development, but with concerted action, wetlands can remain integral to building a more resilient and sustainable future.

The Importance of Supporting Wetland Conservation

Local wetlands, particularly around Presque Isle, have experienced significant degradation over the years. Once vital to the region's ecosystem, these areas have historically been used as dumping sites for industrial waste, leading to severe pollution of the water and surrounding habitats. The situation has only worsened with the impacts of climate change. Rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns are destabilizing these fragile ecosystems, further threatening their ability to function properly. The cumulative effect of these stresses has been devastating: more than 46,000 acres of wetlands in Marquette County have been lost, which has resulted in higher water levels, increased erosion, and the destruction of critical habitats that many species rely on for survival. As wetlands continue to vanish, their ability to buffer against flooding, filter water, and support biodiversity becomes ever more compromised, leaving both the environment and local communities at greater risk.

CSCLS is deeply committed to protecting wetlands in Marquette County through a range of on-the-ground and advocacy efforts. We're actively pushing for stronger local wetland protections, supporting conservation easements to help landowners safeguard these vital ecosystems, and speaking up in local planning conversations to ensure wetlands are part of the decision-making process. In Powell Township, we’re also promoting native ecosystem restoration, and throughout the Lake Superior watershed, we’re confronting the threats posed by industrial mining. Whether it’s at community meetings or out in the field, we’re making wetlands part of the conversation and part of the solution.

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About the author: Isabel Oertel served as Citizens for Superior's student advocacy intern during the 2024-25 school year. She has sinced graduated from NMU with a degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability. Isabel's personal environmental passions lie in improving the strength and sustainability of our food systems.