ON THE WILD SIDE
THE WONDER OF WATER
Kathleen Ebert-Zawasky
When I was in the 7th grade my teacher, Sister Anastasia, gave us a creative writing
assignment. We were supposed to imagine being an inanimate thing and write about
ourselves from that perspective We had to be very descriptive so that if the story
were read to the class, the class could figure out what thing we chose. I chose water.
That assignment really got me thinking. I have been intrigued by water ever since.
Thank you, Sr. Anastasia!
When I became a serious biology student I began to understand the importance of
water to living things. All of the reactions that support our growth, digestion,
reproduction, etc. happen through water. All of the reactions that make plants
photosynthesize, grow, reproduce, etc. happen through water. Water molecules are
constantly broken down and rebuilt in these processes. Water is not just a passive
medium allowing chemical reactions to take place, it is also a participant in
countless reactions.
But let’s leave the molecular/chemical level and get back to the visible level. Water
is a crucial part of our environment and impacts the climate of our planet. Bodies of
water help moderate temperature by holding heat, releasing it, changing from gas to
liquid and solid (and the reverse) at reasonable temperatures. Water dissolves and
distributes salts and nutrients readily – and so much more.
Most of us learned in grade school
about the water cycle. Rain falls to the
earth, gradually runs off to the rivers
and oceans, rises by evaporation to the
atmosphere and rains or snows back
down again. Sounds simple doesn’t it?
It is simple except when you think
about what happens to it as it is
diverted through one organism, the
next, the next, etc. Organisms slow
down the water cycle by diverting it
before it continues in the cycle. Our
A Great Blue Heron enjoys the fresh water
ponds, streams and rivers hold water
of one of Norton’s ponds. (Wm. McArtor)
reserves and the soil itself absorbs
water making it more fertile. If water
runoff is too rapid, many organisms miss the chance to use it – the land becomes
barren and desert-like.
Originally Published in the Norton Mirror, June 8, 2012
We have done many things to accelerate runoff. Our buildings, sidewalks, roads and
parking lots obviously do not retain water. They just let it roll away and often add
oils and other pollutants on the way. Cutting down forests and removing vegetation
increases runoff, too. Soil erosion follows and that allows still more water – now
choked with sediments and debris to runoff.
Imagine the trees, grasslands and lakes of northern Africa gradually becoming the
Sahara desert because of deforestation and soil loss. The desert is hot but the
process is chilling!
While thinking about this topic, I chanced upon a short article in the June issue of
The Atlantic about this very problem in Idaho and other western states. The article,
“Leave it to Beavers” (by David Ferry) describes how beavers help to retain fresh
water by building lodges and dams. Beavers are being re-introduced into some of
the western states after “dozens of scientific studies” confirmed the vital role they
play in ecosystems. “Their dams create ponds and wetlands that retain rainwater
and snowmelt…that help preserve groundwater, allowing vegetation and trees to
flourish and increasing biodiversity.”
So what can we do? Bring in the beavers? That would be exciting but would require
a lot of time and effort. In the meantime there a few things we can do. We can enrich
our soil by encouraging native plants and trees. We can conserve tap water and we
can collect fresh rainwater ourselves. Rain barrels are becoming a popular way to
collect water preventing too rapid runoff into our streams and rivers. Not as much
fun as bringing in beavers but it will help with flood control and save in other ways,
too. Tap water requires pumping, purification and distribution (think: energy!) to
get to your home. Rainwater falls right into your yard!
Norton residents will soon be able to pick up a free rain barrel (designed so that
mosquitoes will not be able lay eggs on the water surface!) You can reserve one by
getting on the list now by calling the Conservation Commission office at 508-2850275 or email conservation@nortonmaus.com with your request, name and address.
If many of us do this, we will make a difference by conserving fresh water and
keeping our waterways a little cleaner.
And while you are at it, consider getting your household certified with the National
Wildlife Federation (NWF). See the NWF website: www.nwf.org/In-YourBackyard.aspx or the Land Preservation Society (LPS) of Norton website:
www.nortonlandpreservation.org/
Kathy Ebert-Zawasky is president of LPS and Team Leader of the Wild Backyards of
Norton program. Kathy can be reached by email: zawasky@comcast.net
Originally Published in the Norton Mirror, June 8, 2012