Various advantages can be associated with wetlands protection. And this helps to reduce loss and create a gain in natural wetlands. Some of the benefits include environmental, economic, educational and societal. Therefore, in this article, we are going to give you the advantages of wetlands.
They Improve Water Quality
Wetlands can collect surface runoff before it reaches open water and remove pollutants through physical, chemical, and biological processes. By protecting water quality, these wetlands keep our lakes and streams healthy. Therefore, they are necessary for the integrity of aquatic ecosystems.
They retain or remove nutrients through the adsorption into sediments, deposition of organic materials and chemical precipitation. Excess nutrients can also cause an undesirable increase in aquatic plant growth.
The result is water that is reminiscent of pea soup, weed-choked lakes, depleted dissolved oxygen levels, and the rapid ageing or eutrophication of a lake. This in turn impacts other functions such as use for recreation and fish and wildlife habitat.
Water Supply
They can positively affect water supply, serving as reservoirs for the watershed and releasing retained water into surface water. However, some wetlands are located where water moves into the groundwater system. It then recharges aquifers providing a source of clean drinking water. Since wetlands store water and slowly release it, they are essential for maintaining base flow in streams.
Recreational Opportunities
These wetlands can become a place for outdoor activities like hiking and fishing. People can also entertain themselves by taking pictures and hunting.
Partnerships
They can allow communities, businesses and organizations to build partnerships through protection activities. Wetlands also provide numerous entities access to data and resources that would not be available.
Education
Meaningful opportunities are provided by wetlands to educate the public regarding wetlands science, and the value of water resources.
Aesthetic Appeal
Wetlands can also provide an explicit visual value and are often incorporated as features within the landscape design.
Wildlife Habitat
Furthermore, wetlands provide habitat for various species such as reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals that are adapted to aquatic environments. However, animals like deer, elk and bears commonly use wetlands for food and shelter. They are also essential to various migratory bird species, for instance, ducks and mallards.
Fish and Shellfish Habitat
Marine life including striped bass, pike, sunfish, crab and shrimp rely on wetlands for food, cover and nursery grounds.
Food and Fiber Production
Wetlands assist many commercial activities because they provide natural products including blueberries and cranberries. Forested wetlands including cedar swaps can provide sustained yields of valuable timber if harvested with planning.
Historic and Archeological Values
Some wetlands are necessary for historic and archaeological reasons. They have historical and social significance because of their contribution to the development of inland regions.
Flood Storage and Conveyance
In addition, wetlands act as sponges temporarily storing flood waters and releasing them slowly. Therefore, this reduces flood peaks and protects downstream property owners from flood damage.
These wetlands often form natural floodways that convey flood waters from the upland to downstream points. Hence, these functions become important in urban areas where development has increased the rate and volume of storm-water runoff.
Habitat for Threatened and Endangered Species
Some of the animals in the United States depend on wetlands for their survival. These include whooping cranes and American crocodiles the dwarf lake iris.
Ecosystem Productivity
Some types of wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on the planet. Nutrients and plant material flushed from some wetland systems during storms provide essential food for plants and wildlife.
They are a Living Source for Humans
A lot of people around the world depend on fisheries which are mostly found in wetlands. Several types of construction wood and medicinal plants are produced from sustainably managed wetlands.
Wetlands Reduce Greenhouse Gases
These wetlands absorb carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Therefore, they reduce their effect on the environment and help to slow down climate change.
In conclusion, these are some of the advantages of wetlands and how important they are to humans and animals. Therefore, wetlands and their inhabitants can continue to thrive to the benefit of us all.
