Wetland functions and values

Wetlands provide endless opportunities for popular recreational activities, such as hiking, boating, hunting, fishing, trapping and birdwatching. Functions and values are a result of specific biological, chemical, and physical characteristics within the wetland and any complex relationships m. Numbered images match the numbered function or value below. See box 1 for a description of some of the functions or values of wetlands applying a broad concept of function. Wetlands environmental services or ecological functions give people economic and social bene. The highway methodology workbook supplement usace, 1999 recognizes up to different functions and values, including. Wetlands classification and types wetlands protection. Definition of the terms wetland function and value prior to 1995, the terms function and value were often used somewhat interchangeably in the literature and regulations. However, there is only partial among regulators and other wetland agreement managers concerning the use of these terms.

Flieger the environmental assessment process is a cornerstone of the national environmental policy act nepa of the united states, and part of that. Wisconsin rapid wetland assessment methodology version 2 the wisconsin wetland rapid assessment methodology version 2 is a qualitative method developed to provide a standardized process for the professional to evaluate the extent to which a specific wetland performs a given function. Wetlands serve a variety of functions and values beneficial to the general public and to the environment. Wetland wetland wetland functions and ecosystem benefits. Almost everyone likes being on or near the water, and the presence of so many fascinating lifeforms makes our wetlands. Recommend a sketch of wetland in relation or impact area and surrounding landscapes, inventory of vegetation and potential wildlife species, and a photo of the wetland. Physical values and economic values public recognition of the value of wetlands has risen rapidly over the past 25 years. Wetland functions are ecosystem properties that are present without regard to any subjective human values. They provide critical habitat for wildlife, water storage to prevent flooding and protect water quality, and recreational opportunities for wildlife watchers, anglers, hunters, and boaters. They produce great quantities of food that attract many animal species. The complex, dynamic feeding relationships among the organisms inhabiting wetland environments are referred to as food webs. Or, other functions or values which are not provided by the wetland can be designed to increase the net value of the wetland.

Three case studies are presented which use different valuation methods and which to different degrees capture the primary and secondary values. Habitat functions wetlands are home for a variety of mammals. The size of wetlands in watershed management area 6 assessed in this study 27 table 5. They produce great quantities of food that attract many animal species figure 1. Fish and wildlife service 2627 redwing road fort coll ins, co 805262899 performed for.

Wetland functions are valued to various degrees by society, but there is no precise, general relationship between wetland functions and the value of wetlands to society, and values can be difficult to determine objectively. Since wetlands are apt to contain most of the functions and values to some degree, it is helpful to identify those few that are important. A wetland functional assessment, either hgm if available or the montana department of transportation mdt assessment, can be used to determine if the effects of the proposed action on wetland functions are minimal or if mitigation of lost functions will be required. Welcome wetland mitigation program wetlands bureau. This is an especially important function during periods of drought. However, all are rich, diverse environments supporting people and wildlife. The full range of wetland functions and values are covered. The presence of marshes in a watershed helps to reduce damage caused by floods by slowing and storing flood water. Today, scientists and environmental interest groups recognize how many different species and functions depend on wetlands and. This chapter is an overview, describing some of the many functions and values inland wetlands. Wetlands serve many functions and values that often go unnoticed. Wetland functions evaluated by wetland values and assessment methods.

Wetland functions are defined as the physical, chemical, and biological processes or attributes that are vital to the integrity of the wetland system. Wetland assessment methods and tools wisconsin dnr. Wetlands are considered valuable because they clean the water. Wetlands have provided people with various products and services since time immemorial. Wetland functions and values department of environmental. The degree to which a wetland serves these functions depends on the hydrology, soil, vegetation, size, and location of the wetland in the landscape. Wetlands can be thought of as biological supermarkets. The value of a wetland is a measure of its importance to society.

Definition of wetland, floodplain, riparian functions. Major functions and values of wetlands to evaluate in addition to the functions and values considered in the highway methodology workbook supplement, is ecological integrity, a function that is included in rsa 482a, the wetlands law. Functions result from both living and nonliving components of a specific wetland. Functional assessments evaluate current wetland functions and predict potential changes to a wetland s functions as a result of proposed activities. Groundwater discharge is an example of a wetland function. They are particularly valuable components of the ecosystem. Environmental protection agencys web page on wetland functions and values. All wetland functions are internal, but the values or benefits of wetland functions can be internal or external to the wetland. Indd functions and values of wetlands in louisiana this publication was produced in part by the louisiana department of natural resources coastal management division under award na04nos4190040. Montana department of transportation montana wetland. This chapter discusses the many ecological functions and values of wetlands and watercourses starting. The value of a given wetland function, or combination of functions, is based on human judgment of the worth.

Wetland functions and values watershed academy web us epa. Wetland functions and values blue earth county, mn. Wetland functions and values wetlands can be thought of as biological supermarkets. Much of this stems from their habitat for fish and wildlife, as well as for protecting water quality, erosion prevention, flood storage and recreation. Secondary values are defined as the outputs, lifesupport functions and services, generated by wetlands.

Wetland values are those characteristics that are beneficial to society. Functional assessments for wetlands and other aquatic. A watershed is a geographic area in which water, sediments and dissolved materials drain from higher elevations to a common lowlying outlet or basin or a point on. Values are benefits that derive from either one or more functions and the physical characteristics associated with a wetland coe 1995. Wetlands the tennessee department of environment and conservation tdec is charged with protecting the wetlands of the state of tennessee. The purpose of mitigation is to achieve no net loss of wetland functions and values from development projects.

An overview of major wetland functions and values by j. Wetland functions are the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of a wetland. Development of wetland quality and function assessment. Most wetlands perform multiple functions all wetlands perform at least one function even small wetlands can provide high value e. Great blue heron 2 wetland functions and values form a very important part of section 404 permit decisions by the corps. Because wetlands are often transition zones ecotones between terrestrial and deepwater aquatic systems, many processes have major implications for species. These impacts affect the functions and values of wetlands and surface waters, such as wildlife habitat, water quality renovation, or flood storage and desynchronization, among others. Wetlands in texas, north carolina, and alaska, for example, differ substantially from one another because of their varying physical and biotic nature. Their cleansing power provides natural pollution control and the way they filter and collect sediment. Wetland functions are those processes that wetlands perform independent of human opinion, such as nutrient cycling, floodflow alteration, sediment stabilization, and providing plant and animal habitat. A synthesis of the science presents information on wetlands in washington and how they function. Chapter 2 of wetlands in washington state, volume 1. Wetland values wetland values are typically subjective, nonsite specific benefits realized by society and individuals through natural wetland functions occurring in wetlands. The highway methodology workbook supplement wetland.

Wetland functions evaluated by wetland indicator methods. Wetland functions have value on several levelsinternal, local, regional, and global. The functions and values of wetlands are the favorable roles that a wetland provides to its surrounding environment and also towards the benefit of human society. Descriptive approach to visualizing and assessing wetland systems robert s. Wetland values are a measurement of the benefit these wetland functions provide to society. The state of our understanding edited by phillip e. The division of water resources carries out this mission by requiring any activity that may alter a wetland to. It is important to maintain and restore wetland functions and values because wetlands. The various benefits, or values, that wetlands provide to society arise from.

The functions of a wetland and the values of these functions to human society depend on a complex set of relationships between the wetland and the other ecosystems in the watershed. Article 24 of the environmental conservation law, section 240105 statement of findings lists the benefits of freshwater wetlands that the department is mandated to protect. Clark proceedings of the na tional symposium on wetlands held in disneyworld village lake buena vista, florida november 710,1978 sponsored by american water resources association national wetlands technical council. The first of a 4chapter video developed for connecticuts municipal inland wetlands agencies.

The factors associated with restoration noted above also are considerations in any wetlands enhancement strategy to assure that the enhancement program is successful and that these measures will work over the long term. According to the wildfowl and wetlands trust, presently 75% of the human population lives in former wetlands and surrounding areas. The third of a 4chapter video developed for connecticuts municipal inland wetlands agencies. Functions are selfsustaining properties of a wetland ecosystem that exist in the absence of society. 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. Marshes recharge groundwater supplies and moderate streamflow by providing water to streams. How do wetlands function and why are they valuable. Wetland functions 7 c learly, each wetland is slightly different. Functions that provide internal values are the functions that maintain or sustain the wetland and are essential to the continued.

See, examples of functions and values in appendices a and c. This functions considers the potential for a wetland to serve as a groundwater recharge andor discharge area and refers to the fundamental interaction between wetlands and aquifers, regardless. To quantify what compensatory wetlands mitigation is required for your project, we must determine the value of the wetland by calculating the change in function due to the permitted activity. Primary and secondary values of wetland ecosystems. This paper explores the use of the terms function and value and makes suggestions for future use of. The value of a wetland is an estimate of the importance or worth of one or more of its functions to society. Click on this link for a glossary of terms used in the following pages.