What Did They Discover About the Mississippi River?
How much do you really know about the Mississippi River? This great waterway shapes the culture and environment of North America, having a major influence on the country’s economy, transport systems and even history. Let’s explore what researchers have recently discovered about the Mississippi River by delving into its diverse habitats, environmental benefits, and contribution to the local economy.
Impact on Local Ecosystems
The Mississippi River is home to large numbers of fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians, including endangered species such as the pallid sturgeon. Research in 2017 found that these organisms are threatened by water pollution and sedimentation caused by human activity, such as dams and agricultural runoff. In an effort to reduce the impact of human activity, the US Fish and Wildlife Service proposed a new plan of action to promote sustainable water management, reduce nutrient runoff and maintain the habitats of native species.
Despite the challenges, recent studies have established that the Mississippi River has a unique and highly diverse aquatic ecosystem, hosting numerous species of endemic and endangered fish, mussels and snails. This remarkable ecosystem provides valuable services to the surrounding areas, such as enabling the natural filtration of water and protecting the environment from disease, floods and droughts.
Economic Impact on the Region
The Mississippi River is also a major economic force in the region, providing goods and services that generate billions of dollars in value every year. The river’s transport functions, generating electricity and irrigating agricultural land are just a few of its many contributions to the economy. In fact, a recent economic impact analysis showed that the river’s goods and services have an estimated economic value of $144 billion throughput ten US states and six Canadian provinces.
Additionally, the Mississippi River offers a wide range of recreational opportunities that bring in tourists from around the world. The river’s vast fishing resources, bustling river docks and many scenic views are major attractions, bringing in much needed revenue to the local economy. Every year, the river provides shelter to more than 10 million anglers and 1.1 million visitors.
An Unsung Hero of Conservation
The Mississippi River is also a key area for conservation research, with projects conducted every year to help protect the natural environment and the species that call it home. In 2017, the US Fish and Wildlife Service established the Ouachita River National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas, with the aim of restoring habitats and protecting rare species such as the Blanding’s turtle and the Io moth.
Furthermore, the US Fish and Wildlife Service also established the Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Mississippi. This initiative guarantees the protection of local wetlands and the migratory birds that winter in the area.
An Important Source of Renewable Energy
The Mississippi River is also an important potential source of renewable energy. In 2017, researchers at the University of Minnesota identified the potential of using tidal power systems to generate electricity from the river’s 300-foot tidal range. Other studies suggest harnessing the power of the river’s strong currents to generate electricity. While these proposals are still in the early stages of evaluation, they could represent a major step forward in the development of renewable energy.
The Challenges of Pollution
Pollution is an ongoing challenge for the Mississippi River. Untreated wastewater from industry and households is a major source of pollution, containing toxins and nutrients that can have a devastating effect on the river’s aquatic habitats. In 2015, the US Environmental Protection Agency warned that more than 60 percent of the river’s water is unsafe for swimming and fishing due to high levels of bacteria, mercury and other pollutants.
The US Environmental Protection Agency has also proposed various plans to reduce pollution from sediment and nutrients, such as establishing an agricultural buffer zone around the river and tightening regulations on wastewater discharges. Despite these efforts, the river remains one of the most polluted waterways in the world, with local species facing a major risk of extinction due to human activity.
Public Awareness and Conservation Efforts
The importance of the Mississippi River can’t be understated. Its presence brings both economic and ecological benefits to the region, although it faces a range of challenges to its health and biodiversity. Local communities, organizations and governments have recognized the need for greater public awareness and conservation efforts to protect this natural resource, and have made significant progress over the last few years.
The Mississippi River has a long and fascinating history, and it remains an integral part of the culture of North America. Despite the pressure it faces, research and conservation efforts are helping it stay healthy, a testament to the dedication of environmental organizations, researchers and local communities.
Environmental Cost of Development
The Mississippi River has often been dissected, deepened, and altered to accommodate the ever-growing transportation and trade needs of an expanding nation. While this development certainly provides great economic benefit, it also comes at a great cost to the environment. The most prominent example is the building of the River Improvement Project in the 1950s. The project deepened the river and removed large portions of its banks, resulting in the destruction of habitat for local wildlife, including fish and the numerous species of birds who rely on them for food. The impact of these activities has been felt as far away as the Gulf of Mexico, where decreased river flow have caused extra-large dead zones where marine organisms die due to a lack of oxygen.
The Gulf dead zone may be the most direct and visible example of the effect human activities have on the ecosystem, but it is not the only one. Development along the river’s banks, including channel changing and dam building, has caused the river to carry less sediment and sand, which can lead in turn to a reduction in fish populations. While the impact of this development is still unclear, it is very likely that fish populations have decreased due to the changed conditions created by development.
Soil Erosion in the Mississippi River
Soil erosion is another environmental cost of development, with large amounts of soil washing away into the river on a regular basis. This can be a serious problem in places like Mississippi, where heavy rains can cause soil erosion and wash sediment into the river. Sediment buildup in the river can clog pipes and create “dead zones,” where aquatic life cannot exist. It also causes the river to flood more frequently, potentially leading to devastating losses of human life and property.
In order to slow soil erosion, many conservation and watershed organizations have implemented projects to reduce the amount of soil washing away into the Mississippi River. Some of these projects include re-vegetation, conservation tillage and buffer strips, while others involve implementing best management practices to prevent soil from washing away. The results have been encouraging, with notable reductions in soil erosion in some areas.
Restoration of Wetlands
Restoring wetlands is another important way to improve the health of the Mississippi River and its associated ecosystems. Wetlands offer numerous benefits such as water filtration, habitat for wildlife and the provision of recreational opportunities. Moreover, wetlands act as a buffer and absorb the impacts from storms and floods, thus reducing the risk of damage further downstream.
In recent years, many projects have been implemented to restore wetlands in Mississippi. The Nature Conservancy, National Park Service and state agencies are just a few of the organizations that are working to restore wetlands in the area by planting wetlands, removing invasive species and restoring habitat.
Conclusion and Summation
The Mississippi River has an incredible history, and it continues to play an important role in the social, environmental, and economic landscape of North America. Recent research and conservation efforts have revealed important facts about the river’s ecology, its economic benefit and the challenges it faces. It is up to us to ensure that the future of the Mississippi River is a bright one, and that its unique environment is preserved for future generations.
