Should wetlands be drained to deter wild birds that congregate near or on water?
No. In the first place the absence of water would only force the wild birds to seek alternative points on migratory routes and could thus help carry any virus to new locations. Second, wetlands have a very high value for ecosystems, providing vital services such as flood control, water purification and recycling of nutrients. Third, many communities depend on wetlands for their livelihoods.
