The Ecology of Coastal Wetlands - Marine Ecology in a Changing World - page 157

contamination of coastal waters. The roots and rhizomes of macrophytes
consolidate otherwise loose sediments, and salt marsh canopies dissipate
wave energy, lowering erosion of vegetated platforms (Leonard and Luther
1995, Stumpf 1983). Coastal wetlands may also provide a substantial capture
of land-derived nitrogen because of their high rates of denitrifi cation and
burial (Mitsch and Gosselink 2007).
There have been major losses of salt marshes and mangroves worldwide.
Widespread and chronic human induced modifi cations are responsible for
their complete destruction, in many cases, but also for the permanent
change in their valuable ecosystem functions. The effects of anthropogenic
factors are often diffi cult to distinguish from “natural” agents of change.
For example, anthropogenic greenhouse gases are being released into the
atmosphere in the context of a solar driven climatic change, and changes
in sediment and nutrient supplies to coastal waters, owing to human water
use, may be confused with changes in runoff, associated to long term
meteorological cycles like El Niño Southern Oscillation. However, human
responsibility for global environmental change cannot be denied, and we
are urged to develop a scientifi c basis for management, protection, and
sustainable use of coastal wetlands in this changing world.
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