The Environmental Impact of Clearing Wetlands for Urban Development

What are the consequences of clearing wetlands for urban development?

Final Answer:

Clearing wetlands for construction decreases biodiversity, reduces water quality, and increases the risk of flooding.

When a company clears a large area of wetlands to build a new neighborhood, there can be several effects. Foremost, the loss of wetlands can lead to a decrease in biodiversity, as these areas are rich in unique flora and fauna. Secondly, wetlands play a crucial role in filtering pollutants from water, so their destruction can lead to reduced water quality. Finally, wetlands act as a natural defense against flooding by absorbing excess rainfall. As such, removing these wetlands to establish the new neighborhood potentially increases the risk of flooding in the area.