YOU ARE HERE: www.marionswcd.org >
wetland >
Wetlands
Wetlands were once considered waste areas, that had no values for
communities. However, we have recently found that wetlands are some
of the most productive and dynamic habitats in the world. The
physical, chemical, and biological
interactions
within wetlands are often referred to as wetland functions. These functions
include surface and subsurface water storage, nutrient cycling,
particulate removal, maintenance of plant
and animal communities, water filtration or purification, and groundwater
recharge. Similarly, the characteristics of wetlands that are beneficial
to society are called wetland values. Perhaps these can best be thought
of as the importance of a wetland function to an individual or group.
Some examples of wetland values include reduced damage from flooding,
water quality improvement, and fish and wildlife habitat enhancement.
It is important to maintain and restore wetland functions and values
because wetlands contribute to the overall health of the environment.
Some basic wetland functions and their associated values are
listed below.
Surface water storage
This function
helps prevent flooding by temporarily storing water, allowing it to soak
into the ground or evaporate. This temporary storage can help reduce peak
water flows after a storm by slowing the movement of water into tributary
streams which allows potential floodwaters to reach mainstream rivers over
a longer period of time. Water quality also is improved by removing
nutrients, pesticides, and bacteria from surface waters as they are
absorbed or broken down by plants, animals, and chemical processes within
the wetland.
Subsurface water storage
Wetlands are
reservoirs for rainwater and runoff. As this water is released into the
ground, it recharges water tables and aquifers, and extends the period of
stream flows in many parts of the United States.
Nutrient cycling
Wetlands
enhance the decomposition of organic matter, incorporating nutrients back
into the food chain.
Retention of particles
By filtering
out sediments and particles suspended in runoff water, wetlands help
prevent lakes, reservoirs, and other resources from being affected by
downstream sediment loading. This improves water quality and extends the
life of water bodies by reducing sedimentation rates.
Maintenance of plant and animal
communities
Both coastal and inland wetlands provide breeding, nesting,
and feeding habitat for millions of waterfowl, birds, fish, and other
wildlife. Wetlands in the
United States support
about 5,000 plant species, 190 species of amphibians, and a third of all
native bird species. Coastal wetlands are an integral part of the life
cycle for many marine organisms; they are the nursery and spawning grounds
for 60 to 90 percent of U.S. commercial fish catches. Freshwater wetland
vegetation can provide valuable forage for livestock, particularly during
drought years in many of the Plains states. Forested wetlands also are an
important source of timber from such valuable trees as white cedar, bald
cypress, and tupelo.
Values to society
There are a
number of other values society receives from wetlands. Some of these
values are providing sites for hunting, fishing, trapping, photography,
outdoor classrooms or environmental education, and the enjoyment of open
spaces. The ecological diversity and high productivity of wetlands make
them one of the most scenic features on any landscape.
Wetland Information
(Be patient the following files are in pdf format, and may take time to
some download)
Conservation Practices
Wetland
Restoration Fact Sheet
Wetland Restoration Standard
Wetland
Enhancement Fact Sheet
Wetland Enhancement Standard
Wetland Wildlife Habitat Fact Sheet
Wetland Wildlife
Habitat Standard
Wetland Creation Standard
Wetland Construction
Standard
Backyard
Wetland Fact Sheet
Backyard Wetland
Other Wetland Information
Living in
Harmony with Wetlands
River
Corridor & Wetland Restoration
Wetland
References
Wetland Mitigation
Wildlife and Wetlands Maps and
Analysis
Wildlife Habitat
Wetlands
Wetlands
Conservation Compliance
Pond Management
Ponds can certainly
add additional benefits to a site as well. Often, however, people do
not recognize that ponds need certain construction and maintenance
considerations as well to properly enhance a site. Safety is also an
issue.
Pond Information
Conservation Practices
Pond
Management Fact Sheet
Pond Management Standard
Pond Construction Fact Sheet
Pond Construction Standard
Backyard Pond
Pond Related
Information
Ponds as Critical Habitats for Amphibians
For more information
Contact the Marion Count Soil & Water
Conservation District, 6960 S. Gray Rd., Suite C, Indianapolis, IN 46237.
Phone: 317-786-1776
