Question

Georgia's Coastal Plains region includes about 60% of the state. Long ago this area was part of the Atlantic Ocean and completely covered by water. A unique wetland feature of the Southeastern Coastal Plain is the Carolina Bay. Carolina Bays are oval shaped wetlands found from Maryland south to Georgia. Some support permanent lakes while others experience more irregular water levels. Carolina Bays range from 6 to 30 feet deep and from several acres to 6,000 acres in size. Due to varying water levels, the vegetation differs dramatically from one Bay to another. Some are characterized by cypress forests,others marsh and some shrub bogs. Georgia is home to more than 1,000 Carolina Bays, covering 250,000 acres.

The benefits of wetlands are hard to overestimate. All BUT ONE is the benefit of a wetland such as the Carolina Bays. That is:
a) They filter and clean water as well, absorbing toxins and other pollutants.
b) They provide rich farmland and are a source of fuel when the water is drained from the area.
c) They absorb and store vast quantities of storm water, helping reduce floods and recharge aquifers.
d) They provide critical habitat for many plant and animal species that could not survive in other habitats.

Answer 1

Carolina Bays are vital wetlands that filter water, mitigate floods, and provide habitats for diverse species, but converting them into farmland is not a benefit as it destroys their ecological value.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Carolina Bays are unique wetland features of the Southeastern Coastal Plain, and they offer numerous benefits to the environment. Benefits of wetlands like the Carolina Bays include:

• They filter and clean water, absorbing toxins and pollutants, which promotes healthier ecosystems downstream.
• They absorb and store stormwater, which aids in reducing floods and helps to recharge aquifers, providing a crucial service in water management.
• They provide critical habitat for a diverse range of plant and animal species, supporting biodiversity.

However, the statement that they provide rich farmland and a source of fuel when the water is drained is not generally considered a benefit, as draining wetlands destroys the natural habitats and disrupts the ecosystems they support. Instead, the biodiversity and ecological services they offer in their natural state are far more beneficial and crucial for environmental health and sustainability.