Preserving Our WetlandsPreserving Our Wetlands

A Presentation of theMadison County Park System

What Are Wetlands?What Are Wetlands?

Wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland, or water, with water that is still or flowing, fresh or brackish, including areas of water no deeper than 20 feet

Types of WetlandsTypes of Wetlands

• Freshwater marshes

• Tidal marshes

• Fens

• Bogs

• Swamps

• Mangrove flats

• Floodplains and deltas

Wetland CharacteristicsWetland Characteristics

MangrovesSubtropical areasMangrove flat

Cypresses, gums, maples

Saturated or flooded areas

Swamp

Sphagnum moss, shrubs, trees

Glaciated areasBog

Grasses, shrubs, treesAreas of mineral-rich water

Fen

Grasses, crabs, clamsIntertidal zonesTidal marsh

Grasses, frogsWidespreadFreshwater marsh

Habitat for . . .LocationsName

Why Do We Need Wetlands?Why Do We Need Wetlands?

• Wetlands are regions where soils, water, plants, and animals interact

• These interactions generate healthy wildlife, fisheries, and forest resources

Other Benefits of WetlandsOther Benefits of Wetlands

• Flood control

• Shoreline and storm protection

• Nutrient retention and export

Flood ControlFlood Control

• Rain and melted snow are stored in wetlands

• Some stored water recharges groundwater

• Storage of water in a wetland reduces risks of damaging floods downstream

Shoreline and Storm ProtectionShoreline and Storm Protection

• Wetland vegetation stabilizes shorelines by reducing energy of waves and currents

• Wetland vegetation holds sediments in place to reduce erosion

• Wetlands lessen force and impacts of coastal storms

Nutrient Retention and ExportNutrient Retention and Export

• Wetlands retain nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, improving water quality

• Accumulated nutrients support aquatic life as well as forest and agricultural products

• Nutrients are released slowly throughout the year to benefit plants and animals downstream

Wetland LossWetland Loss

• Historic approach has been to drain wetlands to convert land for agricultural use

• Approximately 80% of U.S. wetlands have been lost to agriculture

• Approximately 50% of wetlands worldwide have been lost

Local Wetland LossesLocal Wetland Losses

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

In 1

,000

s of

Acr

es

Ohio Indiana Michigan

17801980

Rate of Wetland LossRate of Wetland Loss

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1913 1946 1967 1980 1985

Lan

d L

oss

in S

q M

i/Yr

Coastal areas Other areas

Impacts of Wetland LossImpacts of Wetland Loss

• Floods—more damage to areas that were once wetlands

• Water quality—more sediments, nutrients, and contaminants downstream

• Animal habitats—loss of habitats for animals that inhabit wetlands