What two sentences are significant in each paragraph. Show evidence of those lines. Add what is your thoughts in 2 sentences for each paragraph in a 3rd graders responds

PARAGRAPH 7
The Louisiana wetlands are home to a variety of animals, including alligators, snakes, turtles, coyotes, muskrats, armadillos, pelicans and egrets, among others. The wetlands are a crucial resource for many endangered species. In fact, more than one-third of the United States' threatened and endangered species live only in wetlands, and more than one-half use the wetlands at some point in their lives for breeding, nesting or raising their young. Many species of migratory birds depend on the wetlands and would go extinct if the wetlands were destroyed.

PARAGRAPH 8
The wetlands are also essential to the state's fishing industry, providing a habitat for fish, shrimp, oysters and crabs. As of 2013, Louisiana's commercial fishing industry is responsible for 25 percent of all seafood produced in the United States, with the highest production of shrimp, oysters and freshwater fish in the nation. Approximately one in every 70 jobs in the state is related to the fishing industry. The destruction of the wetlands would have disastrous consequences for the economy of the area and the livelihoods of many of Louisiana's residents.

PARAGRAPH 9
In addition to endangering the wildlife and economic prosperity of an area, the loss of wetlands also puts humans at risk. Wetlands serve as a natural buffer zone against storms and hurricanes, slowing down the storms and reducing their force before they move inland.
However, as the wetlands disappear, some cities are becoming more exposed.

PARAGRAPH 10
The city of New Orleans, Louisiana, has already suffered the consequences of this gradual depletion of wetland buffer zones. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina, one of the deadliest and most destructive hurricanes in the entire history of the United States, hit the Gulf Coast. There were more than 1,800 casualties, with the greatest number of them concentrated in New Orleans. Eighty percent of the city was flooded, and there were more than 700 dead. Many blamed the destruction of New Orleans on the failure of the levees, which are manmade barriers that prevent water from flooding into a city. However, scientists and researchers believe that the hurricane would have done far less damage to the city if the surrounding wetlands had been intact. Since the storm, there has been a greater national focus on preserving and restoring the wetlands on the Gulf Coast. Preserving our wetlands and maintaining a buffer zone against storms will only become more crucial in the future, as climate change may increase both the frequency and the severity of extreme weather events such as hurricanes.

PARAGRAPH 11
In recent decades, since the importance of wetlands became apparent, there has been a push toward better education and regulation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) has declared the month of May to be American Wetlands Month, which is dedicated to celebrating the ways in which wetlands enrich our lives and the environment.

PARAGRAPH 12
Regulation has also been an important tool in the fight against wetlands loss. Since 1998, the United States has maintained a "no net loss" wetlands policy. This means that the total area of wetlands in the country must either remain constant or increase. If wetlands are destroyed for agriculture, development, or any other reason, the effect must be balanced out by restoring or reclaiming wetlands elsewhere. The policy has had a dramatic effect in slowing the rate of wetlands loss.

1 answer

PARAGRAPH 7

Significant Sentences:

  1. "In fact, more than one-third of the United States' threatened and endangered species live only in wetlands, and more than one-half use the wetlands at some point in their lives for breeding, nesting or raising their young."
  2. "Many species of migratory birds depend on the wetlands and would go extinct if the wetlands were destroyed."

Thoughts: Wetlands are super important because many animals live there and need it to survive. If the wetlands disappeared, a lot of animals, like birds, would have nowhere to go, which would be really sad!


PARAGRAPH 8

Significant Sentences:

  1. "The wetlands are also essential to the state's fishing industry, providing a habitat for fish, shrimp, oysters and crabs."
  2. "The destruction of the wetlands would have disastrous consequences for the economy of the area and the livelihoods of many of Louisiana's residents."

Thoughts: Wetlands help support the fishing jobs in Louisiana, which is super important for people living there. If the wetlands go away, many people could lose their jobs, and that wouldn't be fair!


PARAGRAPH 9

Significant Sentences:

  1. "Wetlands serve as a natural buffer zone against storms and hurricanes, slowing down the storms and reducing their force before they move inland."
  2. "However, as the wetlands disappear, some cities are becoming more exposed."

Thoughts: Wetlands help protect cities from big storms, which is really helpful! If there are no wetlands, cities could get hurt badly by hurricanes, and that would be scary!


PARAGRAPH 10

Significant Sentences:

  1. "In 2005, Hurricane Katrina, one of the deadliest and most destructive hurricanes in the entire history of the United States, hit the Gulf Coast."
  2. "However, scientists and researchers believe that the hurricane would have done far less damage to the city if the surrounding wetlands had been intact."

Thoughts: Hurricane Katrina caused a lot of damage, and it might have been less bad if the wetlands were still there. It's kind of like how a superhero protects a city, so the wetlands can be thought of as nature's superhero!


PARAGRAPH 11

Significant Sentences:

  1. "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) has declared the month of May to be American Wetlands Month."
  2. "This month is dedicated to celebrating the ways in which wetlands enrich our lives and the environment."

Thoughts: It's cool that there's a whole month to celebrate wetlands! This helps everyone remember how amazing and helpful they are to us and the animals!


PARAGRAPH 12

Significant Sentences:

  1. "Since 1998, the United States has maintained a 'no net loss' wetlands policy."
  2. "The policy has had a dramatic effect in slowing the rate of wetlands loss."

Thoughts: I think it's great that there's a rule to protect wetlands so they don't disappear! It shows that people care about the environment and want to make sure wetlands stay safe!