Wetlands are areas of land where water covers or saturates the soil for significant periods. These environments, including marshes, swamps, and bogs, are shaped by water’s influence on their characteristics. Wetland restoration involves returning degraded wetlands to a healthier state, reinstating their natural functions and biodiversity. This process reverses the impact of disturbances, allowing these ecosystems to provide numerous benefits.
Improving Water Quality
Wetlands enhance water quality by acting as natural filtration systems. As water flows through, dense vegetation and soils remove pollutants. Plants absorb excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural runoff, preventing harmful algal blooms downstream.
Slowed water flow within wetlands allows suspended particles, such as sediments and heavy metals, to settle out of the water column. This sedimentation prevents these materials from entering groundwater or accumulating in other aquatic systems. Microorganisms in wetland soils and on plant surfaces also break down contaminants into less harmful forms.
Supporting Diverse Ecosystems
Wetlands are highly productive ecosystems. They provide essential habitats, serving as breeding grounds, nurseries, and feeding areas for a wide range of wildlife, including fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates.
Wetlands support a significant portion of the world’s biodiversity. It is estimated that up to 40% of all plant and animal species live or breed in wetlands, and approximately half of all threatened and endangered species in the United States rely on them for survival. Many species, including migratory birds, depend entirely on wetlands for parts of their life cycle, using these areas for resting and refueling.
Protecting Communities from Hazards
Wetlands act as natural buffers, protecting communities from environmental hazards. They absorb and temporarily store large volumes of surface water and floodwaters. This capacity reduces flooding severity in downstream areas by slowing water currents and lowering flood peaks.
In coastal regions, wetlands dissipate wave energy and reduce erosion, shielding shorelines from storm surges and rising sea levels. They significantly reduce wave heights during storms, protecting communities and infrastructure. During Hurricane Sandy, for example, coastal wetlands in the northeastern U.S. prevented an estimated $625 million in property damages from flooding across 12 states.
Addressing Climate Change
Wetlands regulate the climate by capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide, a process known as carbon sequestration. Plants absorb CO2 during photosynthesis, storing it in their biomass and wetland soils. Wetland soils are effective carbon sinks because waterlogged conditions slow organic matter decomposition, allowing carbon to accumulate over long periods.
These ecosystems, including peatlands, mangroves, and seagrass beds, are among the most effective global carbon sinks. Despite covering a small percentage of Earth’s surface, wetlands store a disproportionately large amount of carbon. Restoring degraded wetlands can prevent the release of stored carbon back into the atmosphere and enhance their ongoing capacity to sequester more carbon.
Enhancing Human Well-being
Healthy wetlands provide numerous direct benefits that enhance human well-being, beyond their ecological and protective functions. These areas offer opportunities for recreation and outdoor activities like birdwatching, fishing, kayaking, and hiking. Their aesthetic value provides serene natural spaces for relaxation and enjoyment.
Wetlands serve as important sites for environmental education and scientific research, fostering a greater understanding of these complex ecosystems. Healthy wetland ecosystems support commercial activities, including fisheries and tourism, contributing to local economies. Many commercial and recreational fish species rely on coastal wetlands for spawning, nursery, and feeding grounds.