In La., signs of regrowth seen in oiled marshes

[SpartanDem]

Source: AP

BARATARIA BAY, La. — Shoots of marsh grass and bushes of mangrove trees already are starting to grow back in the bay where just months ago photographers shot startling images of dying pelicans coated in oil from the massive Gulf oil spill.

More than a dozen scientists interviewed by The Associated Press say the marsh here and across the Louisiana coast is healing itself, giving them hope delicate wetlands might weather the worst offshore spill in U.S. history better than they had feared. Some marshland could be lost, but the amount appears to be small compared with what the coast loses every year through human development.
..........

Whether it is a triumph of cleanup work, the marshes' resiliency or both, scientists have reported regrowth of grasses, black mangrove trees and roseau cane, a lush, tall cane found in the brackish waters around the mouth of the Mississippi River.

"The marsh is coming back, sprigs are popping up," said Alexander S. Kolker, a marsh expert and coastal geologist in Cocodrie, La., with the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium.


Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hZ4brYL67KfzOPe-6Jx-gDt73h7QD9HHIJLG3

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It's still early, but this is a good sign.

[jobycom]

1. Nature is one tough Mother.

Glad to see they haven't killed her yet. I'd be even gladder if they'd stop trying so hard.

[zipplewrath]

5. Ain't that the truth

It'll come back, there will probably be permanent damage. But if we hadn't been screwing up the gulf for the last umpteen years it might be able to recover better.

[MoonGlow]

7. In 2 years it will be hard to tell

[Uben]

2. See, I told ya so!

In another 1000 yrs, you'll never know it happened.








/sarcasm

[movonne]

3. a big plus one...

[Altoid_Cyclist]

4. This is an encouraging sign, but......

this is what bothers me the most about the article.

Some marshland could be lost, but the amount appears to be small compared with what the coast loses every year through human development.

Nature's resilient but too many humans are remorseless when it comes to making the most money even if it does damage the environment.

[Psephos]

8. The lost wetlands and marshes are due to the ongoing restriction of the Mississippi in levees.

These delta lands are not being replenished by silt-laden natural discharge of the river. Instead, the river rides out to the Gulf in its own human-made tube. Its mouth is not free to wander and twist as it would in the absence of levees, depositing its burden to replenish the marshes.

[Altoid_Cyclist]

9. Disturbing the natural order of things seems to come back and bite us in the rear.

I'm hoping that we learn our lesson at some point and can reverse at least part of the damage that we've inflicted. At least they finally realized that draining and filling in the Everglades was not the best idea.

Nature seems to find a way to teach us valuable lessons if we are willing to listen.

[Psephos]

10. ain't it the truth? n/t

[caseymoz]

6. Funny that in the total BP news blackout, this story comes through. nt

[nalnn]

11. Ol Man River

Glad to hear this. I wonder would would happen if we allowed the lower delta of the river to be free again. Alot of people would have to move out I am sure but it would rebuild some of the lost land. There would be increased flooding too. At least in the area where levees are removed and navigation could become a good deal more treacherous.

It's a tough call.