Wetlands Important to Wildlife and PeopleMany native plants and animals, as well as migratory birds, depend on Hawaiian wetland habitats for their existence. Wetlands also protect reefs form stilt and contaminants by acting as setting basing for runoff form mountain, agricultural, urban areas.Historically Hawaiians increased wetland habitat throughout the island by creating fishponds and extensive Kalo , or Taro, patches. In recent times, though, many wetlands have disappeared due to draining and filling for agriculture and urban development. The remaining wetlands are being overgrown with introduced plants. Today human intervention is necessary to reverse the decline of Hawaiian wetlands and the wildlife that depends on them. A Destination for Migratory BirdsMore than 2 dozen species ok ducks and geese migrate form North America an Asia to winter in Hawaiian wastelands, or stop over to feed and rest before continuing on the south Pacific. The most common species are pintails and northern shovelers.Shorebirds that nest the Arctic also winter here or stop over en route to the South Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand. Pacific golden plovers, sander lings, wandering tattlers, and ruddy turnstones are common migrants and winter residents in Hawai'i. Shorebirds are especially attracted to mudflats and the edges of drying ponds, where they probe for worms, crustaceans, insects, and mollusks. |