The article discusses the vital role of wetlands, particularly the Everglades, in protecting South Florida from flooding amid climate change. Meenakashi Chabba, an ecosystem and resilience scientist, explains how wetlands function like natural sponges, absorbing rainwater and preventing it from overwhelming communities. Mangroves also serve as natural barriers during storms, reducing flood impacts. The health and functionality of these ecosystems are essential as rainfall increases with climate change, underscoring the need for conservation efforts to maintain these protective environments.
"Wetlands are actually the very best natural protection we can have from flooding, whether they're swamps with trees or marshes with grasses."
"In South Florida, where we get four to five feet of rain a year, inland freshwater wetlands like the Everglades absorb and hold that water very quickly - they're like a natural sponge."
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