Preserving Our Wetlands
A Presentation of the Madison County Park System
What Are Wetlands?
Wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland, or water, with water that is still or flowing, fresh or brackish,
including areas of water no deeper than 20 feet
Types of Wetlands
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Freshwater marshes
Tidal marshes
Fens
Bogs
Swamps
Mangrove flats
Floodplains and deltas
Why Do We Need Wetlands?
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Wetlands are regions where soils, water, plants, and animals interact
These interactions generate healthy wildlife, fisheries, and forest resources
Other Benefits of Wetlands
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Flood control
Shoreline and storm protection
Nutrient retention and export
Flood Control
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Rain and melted snow are stored in wetlands
Some stored water recharges groundwater
Storage of water in a wetland reduces risks of damaging floods downstream
Shoreline and Storm Protection
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Wetland vegetation stabilizes shorelines by reducing energy of waves and currents
Wetland vegetation holds sediments in place to reduce erosion
Wetlands lessen force and impact of coastal storms
Nutrient Retention and Export
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Wetlands retain nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, improving water quality
Accumulated nutrients support aquatic life as well as forest and agricultural products
Nutrients are released slowly throughout the year to benefit plants and animals downstream
Wetland Loss
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Historic approach has been to drain wetlands to convert land for agricultural use
Approximately 80% of U.S. wetlands have been lost to agriculture
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Approximately 50% of wetlands worldwide have been lost
Impacts of Wetland Loss
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Floods—more damage to areas that were once wetlands
Water quality—more sediments, nutrients, and contaminants downstream
Animal habitats—loss of habitats for animals that inhabit wetlands