Why are wetlands important economically?
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.
What are two economic costs of destroying wetlands?
Destruction of wetlands is also detrimental to our region’s economy: recreation like fishing, hunting, and wildlife watching generate more than $22 billion annually. According to the Brookings Institute, restoration of the Great Lakes will create economic benefits of at least $50 billion and create thousands of jobs.
What are some economic impacts of estuaries and wetlands?
Estuaries have important commercial value and their resources provide economic benefits for tourism, fisheries and recreational activities. The protected coastal waters of estuaries also support important public infrastructure, serving as harbors and ports vital for shipping and transportation.
What are economic services of wetlands?
Improved water quality, flood control, wildlife and fisheries habitat, and recreational opportunities are just a few economic benefits that wetlands provide. Wetlands are an important, yet often overlooked, resource. Keeping them healthy is critical to maintain clean water and to support wildlife and fish populations.
What would happen if wetlands were destroyed?
Without wetlands, cities have to spend more money to treat water for their citizens, floods are more devastating to nearby communities, storm surges from hurricanes can penetrate farther inland, animals are displaced or die out, and food supplies are disrupted, along with livelihoods.
What are the ecological benefits of wetlands?
Wetlands play a critical role in maintaining many natural cycles and supporting a wide range of biodiversity. They purify and replenish our water, and provide the fish and rice that feed billions. They serve as a natural sponge against flooding and drought, protect our coastlines and help fight climate change.
How are estuaries economically important?
Estuaries are often the economic centers of coastal communities. Estuaries provide habitat for more than 75 percent of the U.S. commercial fish catch, and an even greater percentage of the recreational fish catch. The total fish catch in estuaries contributes billions of dollars a year to the U.S. economy.
Why are wetlands important to our environment?
Wetlands function as natural sponges that trap and slowly release surface water, rain, snowmelt, groundwater and flood waters. The holding capacity of wetlands helps control floods and prevents water logging of crops.
What are ecological benefits of wetlands?
What are the economic and ecological benefits of wetlands?
Wetlands provide ecological and economic benefits. Maintaining and creating wetlands can also have impacts locally. Nonmigratory and migratory animals benefit, and water quality is improved. The economic benefits to wetlands are numerous as well. Improved water quality, flood control, wildlife and fisheries habitat,…
Why do wetlands need to be dry during the year?
Some wetlands need to be dry for part of the year to maintain their hydrologic cycle. Wetlands provide several ecosystem services such as reducing erosion, recharging aquifers and providing habitat for several wildlife species.
Why are wetlands important in the Great Plains?
In parts of the Great Plains, wetlands act as an oasis due to the increased plant and animal life around them. Due to the critical ecological services that wetlands provide, it is important to maintain existing wetlands.
Why are wetlands important as bioremediation sites?
Wetlands also act as bioremediation sites because they have the ability to remove pollutants from surface water. They are so good at this they are sometimes used to treat wastewater. Wetlands provide excellent habitat for many fish and wildlife species. Several fish species use wetlands to breed and raise young.