Historically, wetlands were seen as areas that were better drained or filled. In a classic example of “you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone,” we have come to understand wetlands as ecologically important and complex systems only after many wetlands have been lost. Billions of dollars are spent each year in the Great Lakes Basin on hunting, fishing, birdwatching, hiking, and camping activities that rely directly on the creatures that call wetlands home.
Wetlands Provide Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Wetlands provide critical habitat for fish and wildlife. Nearly all fish in the Great Lakes Basin directly rely on wetlands for spawning, feeding, or taking cover. Waterfowl and other birds, and a wide range of mammals forage, reproduce, and find shelter in wetlands. More than one-third of all threatened or endangered animal species in North America depend on wetland areas.
Wetlands Protect Water Quality
Wetlands act as living filters that remove pollutants, nutrients, and sediments from surface water and ground water. By protecting water quality, wetlands keep our lakes, streams, and ground water healthy and support the wide range of uses that rely on clean water.
Wetlands Contribute to our Water Supply
Wetlands are usually found where the ground water table reaches or is close to the land surface. They are often sites of springs or seeps where ground water is discharged and are very important for providing high quality water for our lakes and streams. Because wetlands store water and release it slowly, they play an important role in maintaining flow in streams. In addition, some wetlands are found where water seeps back into the earth and recharges ground water, providing a source of clean drinking water. The water recharge potential of a wetland varies according to a variety of factors, including wetland type, geographic location, subsurface geology, soil type, and amount of precipitation.
Wetlands Protect Shorelines and Control Erosion
In their natural condition, wetlands associated with rivers and lakes function as a barrier to erosion. The root systems of wetland plants stabilize soil at the water’s edge and enhance soil accumulation at the shoreline. Wetland vegetation along shorelines reduces erosion by dampening wave action and slowing the speed of water currents. When wetland and shoreline vegetation is removed, efforts to control erosion and sedimentation can be expensive and usually result in further degradation of fish and wildlife habitat.
Wetlands Protect Us from Floods
Wetlands act as sponges, temporarily storing flood waters and releasing them slowly, thus reducing flood peaks and protecting downstream property owners from flood damage. Wetlands and adjacent floodplains often form natural floodways that convey flood waters from upland to downstream points. These functions become increasingly important in urban areas where development has increased the rate and volume of stormwater runoff. Each year, many communities that have suffered extensive wetland loss experience severe flooding.
Wetlands Contribute to Food and Fiber Production
In addition to the revenue generated from wetlands by hunting, fishing, and trapping wildlife, wetlands provide a variety of natural products including blueberries, cranberries, and wild rice. Wetland grasses are hayed in many places for winter livestock feed. Forested wetlands, such as cedar swamps, can provide sustainable yields of valuable timber if harvested with careful management and planning. However, commercial activities, such as peat mining, logging, livestock grazing, and cranberry cultivation can severely degrade wetlands and a majority of their functions if not conducted on a small scale with the utmost of care.
