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Importance of Wetlands
More about wetlands:
Importance of wetlands:
Wetlands are much more than the muddy places we once thought of as a barrier to moving from one place to another, or taking up land that could otherwise be farmed. Wetlands were also thought to be a problem causing flooding in some areas. They were promptly drained of their water, and streams near them were straightened. Ironically, our harsh treatment of wetlands proved more costly than ever thought. Wetlands commonly provide important benefits throughout the nation, such as:
Some wetlands, particularly those on floodplains and in coastal areas, function in flood control by storing and decreasing the velocity of excess water during heavy rainfall. As water flows into wetlands, it naturally loses velocity as it collects and continues to spread out. Wetland vegetation provides another natural barrier to fast moving water and therefore aids in flood speed reduction. The result of wetland activity during floods is often decreased damage to surrounding areas.
Silt Catchers
When flood waters are slowed by wetlands, they drop sediments among the roots and stems of the plants. This protects downstream waterbodies by preventing a dangerous build-up of gill clogging and egg damaging silt.
Erosion Control
Wetlands buffer shorelands against erosion because they are often located between water bodies and high ground. The roots of wetland vegetation bind the soil, putting a hold on it, while the plants themselves absorb the impact of waves.
Wetlands fed by groundwater further transport the water to streams that may otherwise dry up during warm summers or times of drought. Furthermore, wetlands absorb water during the wet seasons and gradually release it during dry seasons, and can thereby refill aquifers and other drinking water supplies. Wetlands not only supply water, but they cleanse it. When water enters a wetland, the wetland becomes a giant kidney, filtering out impurities before allowing the water to leave. The wetland vegetation plays a large role in this filtering system as it uses its roots and stems to trap and gather sediments comprised of both chemicals and nutrients.
There is more life in a one acre of a healthy wetland than there is in one acre of almost any other kind of habitat. Wetlands are virtual havens for the endangered species of the United States; about 35% of all plants and animals listed as threatened or endangered in the United States either live in wetlands or depend on them in some way.
Nature's Nurseries
The thick vegetation found in wetlands provides a safe haven and plentiful food supply for the young of many fish, crabs, and other small creatures who begin life in wetlands, remain safely until they are not so vulnerable, and move to open waters when the time comes.
Migration Stations
Many migratory birds including ducks, herons, sandpipers, and eagles "visit" wetlands in the fall and/or spring to feed while en route to their summer and winter destinations. A large number of birds nest and winter in wetlands as well, but the greatest bird populations are recorded during migration.
Hunting , fishing, hiking, boating, photographing, and bird watching
opportunities are abundant in America's wetlands. According to the Terrene
Institute 
wetlands support and annual commercial fur and hide harvest of $300-$400
million and the 50 million people who
observe and photograph birds and wildlife in wetlands spend close to $10 billion
a year supporting their hobby.
Nature in all forms inspires us to protect our environment and express ourselves through the arts. For centuries, naturalists, artists, photographers, and writers have recorded their experiences with America's wetlands and continue to do so in this, the age of technology through new mediums such as internet web pages and documentaries.
Learn more about wetlands and their value from USEPA's Wetlands Web site feature: America's Wetlands.