Coastal erosion has depleted a large portion of South Louisiana's wetlands along the coastline in swamps and marshes mainly due to storm surges. But other factors also contributed to this erosion. Canals and waterways dug through the marshes and swamps for the oil industry is one factor. Man-made levees erected to provide protection to residents living adjacent to the river is another major cause. Large scale logging especially in the early 1900's also damaged the wetlands.
