Before Los Angeles existed, what did the now-L.A. area look like? There's a widespread notion that the area was desert, reflecting worries about the city's dryness and dependence on imported water.
However, historical descriptions of the landscape present a surprising image. They show a diverse environment consisting of wetlands, grassy prairies, and shrublands.
Wetlands are dynamic, productive, and resilient ecosystems, similar to rainforests and coral reefs. They are vital homes and nurseries for a variety of fish, birds, and wildlife.
Swamps reuse nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, helping plants grow and sustaining diverse life. They play a crucial role in climate moderation by retaining the greenhouse gas carbon within their soil and plant communities.
The marsh prevents carbon release into the atmosphere. This is crucial for keeping the climate stable because greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change.
