The importance of the wetland to the worlds cultural and environmental. Economic benefits of wetlands wetlands contribute to the national and local economies by producing resources, enabling recreational activities and providing other benefits, such as pollution control and flood protection. This includes all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries. These are included on the list of wetlands of international importance held under the ramsar convention. The economic values of the worlds wetlands, world wildlife fund. Some of the most dramatic coastal wetland loss is occurring in louisiana. Wetlands are highly productive and biologically diverse systems that enhance water quality, control erosion, maintain stream flows, sequester carbon, and provide a home to at least one third of all threatened and endangered species.
Iowa lost 99% of wetlands this has greatly increased flood damage in the united states. Pdf the economic values of the worlds wetlands researchgate. They are among the worlds most productive environments. Before we began converting wetlands, there were over 5. Define coastal zone and distinguish between estuaries and coastal wetlands. Wetlands are important for so many reasons the role of wetlands in an ecosystem wetlands prevent flooding by holding water much like a sponge. Translating these many values into economic terms is of primary importance if we are to convince of the importance of these ecosystems as lifesupporting systems.
Ecological and economic importance of wetlands and their. Valuing ecosystem services of coastal marshes and wetlands. Nonetheless, wetlands continue to be degraded or lost and, in many cases, policies and decisions do not sufficiently take into account these interconnections and interdependencies. Wetlands are an important, yet often overlooked, resource. Commercial fish landings in louisiana hold third in economic value and produce the second most biomass in the continental united states, ranked just behind alaska. This is a relatively new science but promising progress is being made. Wetlands long regarded as wastelands, wetlands are now recognized as important features in the landscape that provide numerous beneficial services for people and for fish and wildlife. Government council on environmental quality 1978 stated in a task force report that if wetlands had no other value, they would be valuable to society for beautiful and rot resistant lumber, like maple, bald cypress or tupelo, and as a nursery for fish, in particular menhaden, a wetland dependent fish. Total economic value of wetlands products and services in. Recognizing the economic importance of wetlands in addition to their biodiversity, scientific value, climate regulation, potential tourism, sociocultural and other important wetland values that were not included in the calculations in this study is. Wetlands show a diversity of appearances like salt marshes, tidal wetlands, inland freshwater wetlands, riparian wetlands, peat lands, and many other types. Some of these services, or functions, include protecting and improving water quality, providing fish and wildlife habitats, storing floodwaters, and maintaining. Scientists with usda s natural resources conservation service recognize the environmental and economic benefits regional wetlands provide and the importance of preserving wetland resources.
The economic value of wetlands through crop production was enormous. Keeping them healthy is critical to maintain clean water and to support wildlife and fish. Ahmad, zeeshan and hussain, ashtar and shakeel, amna 2019. Wetland restorations offer environmental, economic benefits. Endangeredthreatened species that live in the mangrove forests american alligators and crocodiles green sea turtles loggerhead. Economics importance of wetlands, their benefits and values case of pakistan. Ramsar wetlands are those that are representative, rare or unique wetlands, or are important for conserving biological diversity. Explain the ecological and economic importance of coastal marshes, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds. While it can be difficult to calculate the economic value provided by a single wetland, it is possible to evaluate the range.
Wetlands of international importance wetlands should be selected for the list of wetlands of international importance on account of their international significance in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology or hydrology and indicates that in the first instance, wetlands of international importance to waterfowl at any season should be. What major ecosystem and economic services are provided by. Wetlands in uttar pradesh, threats to wetland, importance of wetland, floral and faunal diversity of wetland and initiative for wetland conservation in lucknow u. Wetland products that have an economic value, such as commercial fish or timber, can be assigned a monetary value. Provides important habitat for fish or wildlife which can be fished, hunted or trapped under applicable state law. Mangrovs provide clean water, nurseries for fish, and protection from predators.
Wetlands provide a food, shelter and nursery grounds for marine and freshwater fish. In december 2003, the international convention on wetlands ramsar, 1971 had 8 signatories and 1,328 wetlands of international importance also known as ramsar sites were designa 28% of ted. Wetland functions are defined as the physical, chemical, and biological processes or attributes that are vital to the integrity of the wetland system. Coastal marshes and wetlands provide food, refuge, or nursery habitat to roughly 75% of fisheries species, including many finfish, blue crabs, and various species of shrimp. In the lifetime of a child born today, approximately 800,000 acres of. The role of wetlands in an ecosystem wetlands prevent flooding by holding water much like a sponge. This publication gives a comprehensive overview of the economic importance of wetlands and the need to preserve them. What major ecosystem and economic services are provided by marine systems. The economic benefits to wetlands are numerous as well. However, the full value of water and wetlands needs to be recognized and integrated into decisionmaking in order to meet our future social, economic and environmental needs. Wetlands cover at least six per cent of the earth and have become a focal issue for conservation due to the ecosystem services they provide. We envision a state where wetlands are healthy, plentiful, and support ecological and societal needs, and where citizens care for, appreciate, and interact with these natural resources. Economic importance wetlands are economically important to people. Total economic value of lake chilwa wetlands, malawi.
Wetlands can also be key drivers of local economies, given their importance to agriculture, recreation and fishing. Wetlands are indispensable for the countless benefits or ecosystem services. Total economic value of wetlands products and services in uganda. Yet, in spite of their obvious importance, the zambezis wetlands have been vulnerable to increasing pressures of economic and. Wetland restorations offer environmental, economic. The economic, cultural and ecosystem values of the sudd. The economic contribution of wetlands through crop farming is locally and globally recognised as indicated by one of the crops valued during this study paddy rice, regarded as a staple diet of. Many inland wetlands have been drained, filled in to grow crops, or covered for building. Economic values of wetlands san francisco bay joint venture. However, the fact that the economic value of wetlands is increasingly being recognized by decision makers is significant. Report on socioeconomic benefits of wetland restoration.
Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world. Wetland wetland wetland functions and ecosystem benefits. Wetlands provide important natural resources, upon which the rural economy in. Increasingly, wetlands are also habitat for microorganisms that have special qualities needed by industry where oxidation and reduction are key for bioremediation. In the early 1700s, wetlands covered 25% of the total area of indiana. Economics importance of wetlands, their benefits and values case. Nine wetland sites were recognised by the ramsar bureau as being of international importance. For example, climate regulation, water purification, and watershed protection are among the most important ecosystem services that wetlands provide brander. Wetlands are among the most productive habitats on earth providing shelter and nursery areas for commercially and recreationally important animals like fish and shellfish, as. Many commercially important fish species, reeds and papyrus are also harvested in wetlands. Many of these are bacteria which live in anaerobic environments of wetland soils. The economic value of wetlands page 1 abstract episodic flooding along rivers and streams in the lowlands of western washington has become a recurrent theme of recent years. Wetlands filter and clean water, which decreases the costs of drinking water treatment, and they reduce the frequency and intensity of floods.
Endangered species many endangered species use mangroves as habitats. Wetlands have sometimes been called nurseries of life providing safe habitat for the young of many fish, crabs and other small creatures before they are old enough to venture. Maintaining and creating wetlands can also have impacts locally. In the united states they generally fall into four categories. The importance of wetlands national environment and. Benefits of wetlands wisconsin wetlands association. Benefits of coral reefs, olango island, philippines.
Wetlands accept water during storms and whenever water levels are high. Improved water quality, flood control, wildlife and fisheries habitat, and recreational opportunities are just a few economic benefits that wetlands provide. Wetlands are valuable for flood protection, water quality improvement, shoreline erosion control, natural products, recreation, and aesthetics. Wetland conservation is aimed at protecting and preserving areas where water exists at or near the earths surface, such as swamps, marshes and bogs. This study determined the economic value of wetland resources and their. The value of a wetland lies in the benefits that it provides to the environment or to people, something that is not easily measured. Wetlands can be coastal or inland, saltwater, freshwater or brackish. When water levels are low, wetlands slowly release water. About wetlands department of agriculture, water and the. Final report on the economic and social importance of estuaries introduction background the national estuarine pollution study. They are popular places for recreational activities, such as hunting, hiking, canoeing, and birdwatching. Economics importance of wetlands, their benefits and.
Wetlands can have ecological, social, or economic values. More than three billion people, around half the worlds population, obtain their basic water needs from. Economic benefits of wetlands wetlands filter and clean water, decreasing the costs of drinking water filtration. Because wetlands are often transition zones ecotones between terrestrial and deepwater aquatic systems, many processes have major implications for species. By doing so, wetlands help keep river levels normal and filter and purify the surface water. Managing wetlands is a global challenge and the convention presently counts 171 countries as contracting parties, which recognize the value of having one international treaty dedicated to a single ecosystem the convention uses a broad definition of wetlands. More than half of the inland wetlands that existed in the 1600s have been lost 80% lost to farming the rest mining, logging, oil and gas, highway, urban development. Download citation ecological and economic importance of wetlands and their vulnerability.
Some bacteria are being studied for pharmaceutical prosperities. In title n, section 5 g 1, of the clean water restoration act of 1966 p. Together with the loss of wetlands, we are losing access to fresh drinking water, coastal and flood protection, carbon storage and wetland livelihoods ramsar 2015c. Between 1983 and 1995, wetland fisheries contributed almost 20% of the nations commercial harvest, making. In 2001, approximately 3 million people hunted migratory birds and 6. Ecological and economic importance of wetlands and their vulnerability. The economic worth of the ecosystem services provided to society by intact, naturally functioning wetlands is frequently much greater than the perceived benefits of.