Why are wetlands important 3 reasons?
Far from being useless, disease-ridden places, wetlands provide values that no other ecosystem can. These include natural water quality improvement, flood protection, shoreline erosion control, opportunities for recreation and aesthetic appreciation and natural products for our use at no cost.
What is a wetland and why is it important?
Why are wetlands important? Wetlands associated with streams and rivers slow down floodwaters by acting as giant shallow pans. Water flowing into these pans loses speed and spreads out. Plants in the wetland play an important role in holding back the water.
How do humans destroy wetlands?
Human activities cause wetland degradation and loss by changing water quality, quantity, and flow rates; increasing pollutant inputs; and changing species composition as a result of disturbance and the introduction of nonnative species.
How are humans destroying wetlands?
What are the major threats to wetlands?
The EPA also list the following as major human causes of wetland loss: logging, runoff, air and water pollution, introducing nonnative species.
What are the negative effects of wetlands?
The Problem Wetlands destruction has increased flood and drought damage, nutrient runoff and water pollution, and shoreline erosion, and triggered a decline in wildlife populations.
Why are wetlands important in the floodplain?
Flood Protection. Wetlands function as natural sponges that trap and slowly release surface water, rain, snowmelt, groundwater and flood waters. Trees, root mats and other wetland vegetation also slow the speed of flood waters and distribute them more slowly over the floodplain.
What are the functions of wetlands in the hydrological cycle?
Emphasis is placed on hydrological functions relating to gross water balance, groundwater recharge, base flow and low flows, flood response and river flow variability. The functional statements are structured according to wetland hydrological type and the manner in which functional conclusions have been drawn.
Why are wetlands important to birds and mammals?
Many species of birds and mammals rely on wetlands for food, water and shelter, especially during migration and breeding. Wetlands’ microbes, plants and wildlife are part of global cycles for water, nitrogen and sulfur.
What happens to water quality when wetlands are removed?
When wetlands are removed, storm water runs directly into\r the watershed, increasing flooding. Nutrient and Sediment Filtering. Often found in areas of intense agricultural production, wetlands play an\r important role in maintaining local water quality.