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Objectives: 1) Explain 4 ways that humans benefit from wetlands. 2) Describe 4 threats to wetlands.
Delineating WetlandsDelineating Wetlands
Wetland FunctionsWetland Functions
1) Water quality
2) Flood control / Water Storage /
Groundwater Recharge
3) Habitat / Biodiversity
4) Food / Natural Resources
5) Recreation / Travel
Why are wetlands important?Why are wetlands important?
Delineating WetlandsDelineating Wetlands
• Vegetation filters out sediment and slows down
water, allowing sediment (and phosphorus attached
to it) to settle out; wetlands can remove up to 90%
of sediment from surface water flow!
#1 Water Quality#1 Water Quality
Credit: http://www.glc.org/dredging/soil/toledo/buffers.pdf
• Reduce erosion – plants hold soil in place
Delineating WetlandsDelineating Wetlands
• Take up pollutants and excess nutrients
and store in tissues and/or transform
into less toxic form;
Wetland Function: Water QualityWetland Function: Water Quality
Forested riparian
(streamside) wetlands
remove 80% of P and 89% of N from
agricultural runoff!
Delineating WetlandsDelineating Wetlands
• Neutralize acid, reducing negative
effects of acid rain and used in AMD
remediation
Wetland Function: Water QualityWetland Function: Water Quality
Credit: WOW! Wonders of Wetlands
Delineating WetlandsDelineating Wetlands
Wetlands…
• absorb excess water when
streams and rivers
overflow their banks;
Wetland Function:Flood control / Water Storage / Groundwater Recharge
Wetland Function:Flood control / Water Storage / Groundwater Recharge
• hold water even when
ponds and creeks dry up
(drinking water security);
• recharge groundwater stores – surface water and
groundwater are directly interconnected (drinking water
security).
Credit: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/n_resource/wetlands/wetlands4_hydrology.htm
2
Delineating WetlandsDelineating Wetlands
• Home to a large variety of plants, macro-invertebrates,
birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles (high
biodiversity).
-84% of amphibians in PA live in wetlands!
-1/3 of all US threatened and endangered species live in
wetlands
• Migratory stopping places
• Breeding / rearing grounds
Wetland Function: Habitat / BiodiversityWetland Function: Habitat / Biodiversity
Photo Credit: Clark Shiffer
The endangered osprey live in the areas
around streams, rivers, and open water
wetlands.
The endangered bog turtle inhabits
sphagnum moss bogs and marshes.
Delineating WetlandsDelineating Wetlands
• The most productive ecosystems in the
world
• “Biological supermarkets” - important part of
food webs (aquatic and terrestrial)
• Human food production: fish, shellfish, rice,
cranberries, , , , blueberries
• Natural Resources: timber, medicines
Wetland Function: Food / Natural ResourcesWetland Function: Food / Natural Resources
Delineating WetlandsDelineating Wetlands
• Beautiful areas for bird-watching, hiking, biking, and
camping.
• Popular tourist destinations: Florida Everglades and Louisiana Bayou country
Wetland Function: Recreation / TravelWetland Function: Recreation / Travel
Credit: http://www.beachdirectory.com/_images/evergladesaerial.gif
“Also, even if you hate out-
doorsy things, head out on an
airboat in the Everglades - it is a
one-of-a-kind experience that
cannot be found anywhere else
in the world.”
~Beach Directory Website
Credit: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/district3/kissimmeeprairie/photo/Paul-Birding.jpg
Delineating WetlandsDelineating Wetlands
• Conversion of wetlands
to industrial, commercial,
agricultural (cropland /
pasture and irrigation), or
residential uses.•>50% of US wetlands have
been converted to other uses
since the 1700’s
•465 acres of wetlands
disappear daily
Threats to WetlandsThreats to Wetlands
• Disruption of wetland hydrology by filling in, damming,
diking, and dredging.
Delineating WetlandsDelineating Wetlands
• Mining
• Logging
• Runoff
• Excess nutrients and
pollutants
• Nonnative
species
Threats to WetlandsThreats to Wetlands
Credit: http://www.broadwaters.fsnet.co.uk/images/purple-loosestrife.jpg
Delineating WetlandsDelineating Wetlands
• Changing attitudes�regulations to protect, instead
of degrade, wetlands
Protecting Valuable Wetland FunctionsProtecting Valuable Wetland Functions