Transcript Why are wetlands important? - Texas Coastal Erosion Data

Why Are Wetlands Important?
By: Erin Janes &
Danna Svejkosky
MARS 689: Wetland Ecology
Dr. Tom Linton
Fall 2003
The Value of Wetlands
Functions and Values
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Water
Quality
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Erosion
Control
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Spawing &
Nursery
Habitat
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Commercial
Fisheries
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Air Quality
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Flood Protection
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Birds
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Scientific/
Educational
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Storm
Abatement
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Fish & Wildlife
Habitat
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Recreation &
Economy
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Aesthetics
Air Quality
Stability of global levels of:1
 Available nitrogen
 Atmospheric sulfur
 Carbon dioxide
 Methane
Photo by: Mike P. Murphree
Water Quality
Chemical and Physical Properties
Hydrologic conditions can be modified by:
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Nutrient availability
Degree of substrate anoxia
Soil salinity
Sediment properties
pH
Water Quality
Biotic Properties
Vegetation can control water conditions through:
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Peat building
Sediment trapping
Nutrient retention
Water shading
Transpiration
Storm Abatement
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Wetlands act as buffer of storm surge and
wave energy
Sustain minimal damage
Shelter inland property
“Regional wetlands are integral
parts of larger landscapes—
drainage basins, estuaries.”1
Erosion Control
Shoreline stabilization
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Aerial parts of marsh plants dissipate wave energy
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Both offshore and longshore transport of sediment are
reduced
Dense stands can create a depositional environment
Plants form dense root-rhizome mats, adding
stability to the shore sediment
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Particularly important during winter storms when aerial
stems provide only limited resistance to the impact of
waves
Erosion Control
Planting marsh grass is a better alternative than:
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Bulkheads
Seawalls
Rip rap
Gulf Intercoastal Waterway
Photo Courtesy of USACE, Galveston District
Shoreline Erosion Problems?
Think Green…
From the Virginia Institute
of Marine Science (VIMS)
Flood Protection
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Intercept storm runoff and
store storm waters1
Reduces flood damage
caused by peak flows
Seasonal variations
Case Study
USACE study led to Corp’s
decision to purchase 3,400
hectares of wetlands in the
Charles River Basin
(Massachusetts) to effectively
prevent flood damage, rather
than build expensive floodcontrol structures to protect the
city of Boston at the savings of
$17 million per year.1
Fish Habitat
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Ecosystem Diversity and Stability
Spawning Habitat
Nursery Habitat
Food Production
Fish Habitat- Ecosystem Diversity
and Stability
Wetlands play a significant role in maintaining a
high level of biological diversity.
Wetlands provide a variety of habitats which
increases:
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species diversity
species richness
species numbers
Fish Habitat- Spawning and
Nursery Habitat
Fish need specific environmental conditions for
adequate spawning areas and juvenile habitat.
Spawning fish need:
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Good water quality
Protection from predators
An adequate place to deposit eggs
Juvenile fish need:
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Food
Good water quality
Protection from predators
Fish Habitat- Food Production
Nutrients, shallow water, and plants provide the
necessary elements for the production of
algae, zooplankton, and invertebrates, which
are utilized by other fish.
For the Birds
Birds use wetlands for:
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Breeding
Nesting
Rearing young
A source of drinking water
Feeding
Resting
Shelter
Social interactions
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimate that
43% of all threatened and endangered species
rely directly or indirectly on wetlands for their
survival.
Recreation and Economy
Hunting, fishing, hiking, boating, photography,
and bird watching opportunities are abundant
in our wetlands.
~98 million U.S. adults spend a total of $59.5
billion annually on recreational activities within
wetlands.
Commercial Fisheries and
Economy
Coastal wetlands support 60% - 90% of the
commercial fisheries in the United States.
Big Business In Texas:2
•Provides jobs for 30,000 residents
•$400 million annually
•Shrimp
•Oysters
•Blue Crab
•Black Drum
•Southern Flounder
Other Values
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Historical
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Scientific/Educational
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Archeological finds suggesting the use of wetlands for a
variety of subsistence and commercial uses
Scientific research to further our understanding of the ecology,
geology, chemistry, etc. of the Earth
Source of community education
Cultural
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Representation of a community heritage
Other Values, cont.
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Aesthetics
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High quality of life
enjoyed by the
general public and
property owners