Wetland conservation is the protection and preservation of land including marshes, swamps, bogs, and fens that are covered by water either seasonally or permanently. Wetlands are threatened by both natural and anthropogenic hazards, such as climate change, pollution, and the introduction of invasive species. Wetlands cover at least six percent of the Earth and have become a focal issue for conservation due to the ecosystem services they provide. They provide essential habitat for various species of wildlife, purify polluted waters, and mitigate the damaging effects of floods and storms. Furthermore, they offer a diverse range of recreational activities, including fishing, hunting, photography, and wildlife observation. More than three billion people, around half the world's population, obtain their basic water needs from inland freshwater wetlands.
Wetland functions and value
Floodwater storage and filtration Wetlands can slow and weaken floods, protecting those who live in coastal environments. Trees in swamps reduce the wind's ability to create waves and storm surges, while plants produce drag that reduces energy in waves. In addition, wetlands can absorb water from incoming floods and slowly release the water when it subsides, reducing its severity. Coastal wetlands have been estimated to have saved a median of US$447 billion in damages and 4,620 lives annually from storms. Wetlands aid in water filtration by removing excess nutrients and slowing the flow of water, allowing particulates to settle out of the water. Studies have shown that up to 92% of phosphorus and 95% of nitrogen can be removed from passing water through a wetland. Wetlands also let pollutants settle and aggregate up to 70% of soil particles in runoff, reducing erosion. Some wetland plants have even been found with accumulations of heavy metals more than 100,000 times that of the surrounding waters' concentration.
Habitat
Wetlands provide habitat for a wide array of plant and animal species. Different animals utilize wetlands in various ways. Some animals spend their entire life in wetlands, while others only use them during a specific stage of their life cycle. For example, wetlands serve as nursery habitat for commercially valuable juvenile fish and shellfish. Additionally, some organisms only use wetlands seasonally, such as birds. The synergy of shallow waters, abundant nutrients, and high primary productivity creates a perfect environment for the growth of organisms that make up the foundation of the food chain, providing nourishment for various fish, amphibians, shellfish, and insects.
Climate change mitigation Wetlands play a crucial and multifaceted role in mitigating climate change through their natural processes and functions. They capture carbon from the air when plants grow and trap sediment from water. This carbon gets stored in plants, leaves, soil, and mud, sometimes for thousands of years. The term used by scientists to categorize carbon absorbed by coastal wetlands which is then stored in the soil and organic material is blue carbon.According to an article published by A.M. Nahlik and M.S. Fennesy, worldwide, wetlands retain around 700 billion tons of carbon, mainly in peat soils, with an annual sequestration rate of 96 million tons. In the United States, it's estimated that wetlands contain 11.52 billion tons of carbon, equivalent to approximately 1% of the global soil carbon reservoir which highlights the carbon storage capacity of wetlands on a global scale. Wetlands have a higher carbon density than most terrestrial ecosystems, placing them as the top player in global biogeochemical mitigation.
Biological productivity Through wetland's ability to absorb nutrients, wetlands are able to be highly biologically productive (able to produce biomass quickly). Freshwater wetlands are even comparable to tropical rainforests in plant productivity. Their ability to efficiently create biomass may become important to the development of alternative energy sources.
Fishing Fisheries are also an extremely important source of protein and income in many wetlands. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the total catch from inland waters (rivers and wetlands) was 8.7 million metric tonnes in 2002.
Recreation, education and research Wetlands, beyond their ecological importance, offer a wealth of recreational opportunities, serve as invaluable educational resources, and serve as living laboratories for vital research. These unique ecosystems attract outdoor enthusiasts, providing spaces for activities like birdwatching, hiking, and photography while also serving as educational platforms where people can learn about nature and environmental conservation. Additionally, wetlands provide researchers with dynamic environments to study various ecological processes and species, contributing to our understanding of the natural world. Wetlands also serve the human population as an especially important link to indigenous tribes. Archeological finds in and around wetlands include items like indigenous traditional foods, art and craft materials, and ceremonial setting. Wetlands have also been a location favored by scientists in aid to the improvement and discovery of medicine. There is an estimated 70-80% of people worldwide who rely on herbal medicine as well as income from harvest and trade of plants due to their medicinal purposes. Although there is no existence of a global inventory of wetland medicinal species, the White willow is an example. This riverine plant is used in skin care products as well as being the original source of salicylic acid.
Threats to wetlands According to UN Climate Change News, wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests. Wetlands are facing growing threats that put their health at risk. Urban development, pollution, land drainage, and climate change are endangering these valuable habitats that serve as essential flood buffers and wildlife havens.
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