Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
the complexity of wetland ecosystem services
and functions and the interactions between their
intertwined terrestrial, hydrological, biological,
chemical, and atmospheric components. This
chapter examines some of the signii cant bio-
physical and socio-economic contributions pro-
vided by wetland ecosystems.
11.2 Ecosystem services
Ecosystem services provided by wetlands are
broad ranging in scope. These services are not
just localized to specii c wetland sites, but are
benei cial at regional and global scales as well.
Examples include contributions to global carbon
storage, organic and inorganic nutrient cycles,
and protection from storm surges and severe
l ood events. Wetland protection and conserva-
tion efforts are also often framed by the need
to preserve these sites as important repositories
of biodiversity. As habitats for l ora and fauna,
wetlands provide yet another major ecosystem
contribution.
Table 11-1.
Ecosystem, hydrological and economic
goods and services provided by wetlands.
Ecosystem
Services
Hydrological
Services
Economic
Services
• Provide habitat
• Biogeochemical
cycling
• Nutrient
storage &
cycling
• Carbon storage
• Climatic
infl uences
• Erosion
protection
• Pollution
amelioration
• Storm surge
and coastal
protection
• Flood
abatement
• Water
quality
improvement
through
biological,
physical &
chemical
processes
• Waste water
treatment
• Water
storage &
diversion
• Extractive
activities
• Agriculture &
ranching
• Aquaculture
• Forestry
• Peat
extraction
• Salt
production
• Pearl
production
• Transportation
services
• Irrigation
• Hydroelectric
power
generation
• Ecotourism,
recreation &
birding
11.2.1 Habitats
Wetlands provide habitats for a diversity of plant
and animal life in a wide range of geographic
zones from the coldest tundra to the l ood zones
of the equatorial Amazon. Climatic, terrestrial,
and hydrologic conditions collectively inl uence
the diversity and density of species within any
given wetland type. Thus, while tropical wet-
lands like the Okavango or the Pantanal support
great species richness, just one or two dominant
species might be more typical of other areas.
For example,
Spartina alternil ora
and
S. patens
often dominate the coastal marsh ecosystems of
northern New England (Figs. 11-1 and 11-2).
Overall, however, the astonishing biodiversity
and productivity supported by these ecosystems
Figure 11-1.
Spartina
sp. in salt marshes of the Plum Island estuary, northeastern Massachusetts, United States. A.
Extensive stands of
Spartina alternil ora
(short form). B.
S. alternil ora
(short form) along creek edge with
S.
patens
(salt hay) in the foreground with wetland pools in the background. Photos by Firooza Pavri.
