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Teaching Marsh: Functions & Values of Tidal Wetlands
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Flood and Erosion Protection - Tidal wetlands reduce the rate of surface water flow and temporarily store flood waters like a sponge. Wetlands receive stormwater runoff and release it gradually. They change sharp runoff peaks and discharge water flows over longer periods of time thus reduce the danger of flooding and also recharging groundwater supplies. |
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Water Quality - Just like nature's kidneys, tidal wetlands filter and trap sediments and pollutants, increase dissolved oxygen levels and reduce nutrient levels. As water flow is slowed over the marsh, sediments and chemicals drop out of the water column, high rates of productivity lead to high rates of mineral uptake, and decomposition processes take place in wetland sediments. |
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Shoreline Erosion Control - The dense stems, roots and rhizomes of tidal wetland plants buffer the adjacent shoreline by reducing wave energy and reducing current velocity thereby trapping sediments. |
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Aquatic Productivity - A complex food web is supported through the transformation of inorganic nutrients into organic matter that is useful to aquatic animals. Decaying plant matter (detritus) is colonized by microorganisms which are then consumed by larger aquatic animals such as marsh periwinkles. The wetlands ecosystem is the source of food for a variety of fish, shellfish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals.
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Fish and Wildlife Habitat - Wetlands provide habitat for resident and migratory species of fish, invertebrates, reptiles, birds and mammals. Wetland habitats are important for a high percentage of endangered and threatened species. Roughly two-thirds of our commercially valuable fish and shellfish use tidal wetlands as spawning or nursery areas.
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Aesthetics - People enjoy wetlands for their beauty, ecological diversity, and solitude. Wetlands are a vast treasure of information about our cultural heritage since many Native American villages were based in these locations. Wetlands are beautiful locations for fishing, hunting, painting, photography, bird watching, hiking canoeing, crabbing and wildlife study.
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See Powerpoint presentations on the value of wetlands:
- Erosion, Sea Level Rise, and Shoreline Management in Virginia
- Ecosystem Approaches to Aquatic Condition Assessment: Linking subtidal habitat, shoreline condition and estuarine fish communities
- Living Shoreline Case Studies in Virginia
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