A wetland is a transitional area were land and water
based ecosystems overlap. They are also known as marshes, 
fens,
bogs, and swamps. Wetlands typically have about 18 inches of water covering
the soil. Because of the presence of water, wetlands have unique characterisitics
that differ from upland areas, which are dry. Plants that live in these
areas are adapted for moist conditions. There, roots are often submerged
in water for extended periods of time. Wetlands are also home to a wide
variety of animal life. They are critical habitats for the survival
of many species.
Engineers have designed and constructed major structures
on wetlands. An example is the Meadowlands complex in New Jersey. Housing
developments, shopping malls, roads, and other structures have all been
built in wetlands. These activities have a tremendous impact on the
habitat and the water quality in the wetland. Engineers will often create
a new wetland elsewhere to mitigate or make up for the loss of the original
one. However, the many species that were destroyed in the builing process
may not survive to find a new home.
Brownfield is a term that is used to describe a land
area that was once a commercial industry, manufacturing plant, or other
facility, and is now abandoned. Brownfield sites may be, but are not
always, contaminated with pollutants left from the pre-existing company.
Before building a new structure in the same land area, any pollutants
are cleaned up and the area is tested for contamination. With changes
in industry within the last several years, the number of brownfields
have increased. There is a major initiative by the EPA and DEP to use
these abandoned lands to build new structures instead of building on
farmland or clearing forests.
Farmland is being bought and developed rapidly in Pennsylvania
and across the Northeast, a problem known as suburban sprawl. Farmers
find it more economical to sell their land to a developer than to maintain
it as farmland. The demand for new homes is high and developers can
put many homes in a small area to maximize their profit. Farmers do
have another option. In Pennsylvania, they can apply to the state to
place their property in a conservation easement. There are some requirements.
If approved, the land will be protected from development and the farmer
is often paid what his property would be worth to a developer. The program
aims to maintain open space and critical habiatat in Pennsylvania.
