Wetland Values

Wetlands have long been under-rated for their many values. They are just now becoming better understood. Among those values:

Habitat for wildlife

• Wetlands are prime habitat for breeding, nesting, feeding and cover for invertebrates, insects, amphibians, reptiles, waterfowl, songbirds, and mammals. Up to two-thirds of America's wild ducks are hatched in prairie pothole marshes. Wetlands in the United States support about 5,000 plant species, 190 species of amphibians, and a third of all native bird species.

Water quality

• The cleansing power of wetlands provides natural pollution control by removing agricultural chemicals and nutrients. They can also be an efficient alternative for sewage and animal waste treatment.

Economics

• Trying to farm frequently flooded areas can be expensive; the better economic choice may be to restore a wetland.

Filter sediment

• Wetlands filter and collect sediment from runoff water, helping prevent mud from clogging lakes and reservoirs farther downstream.

Reduce soil erosion

• Wetlands slow the overland flow of water, reducing soil erosion along water courses downstream.

Reduce flooding

• Wetlands store rain water temporarily, allowing it to percolate into the ground or evaporate. The temporary storage reduces peak water flow.

Enjoy the outdoors

• Wetlands are ideal places to hunt, watch wildlife, take photographs and just relax and enjoy nature.

• Wetlands offer personal enjoyment in many ways, including watching wildlife (63K).

• They are also proving to be effective natural water filters. (76K)

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