Earth Science c/o wet lands

Question

wetlands such as estuaries, swamps and marshes have the same productivity as tropical rain forests.  Why does this make protection of wetlands so important?

 

 

thanks

Answer 1

Estuaries are important for fisheries and the human food supply because they are nurseries. for small species that humans eat, such as shrimp, crabs, frogs, and fish. Wetlands provide natural water filtration by trapping and absorbing excess nutrients and breaking down sediments. (So basically, most of Florida is a big sponge!) They also protect from storms by reducing flooding and erosion. Wetlands have been discovered to have large amounts of carbon in their soils (vs. Tropical rain forests), which helps reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. If they are destroyed, then that carbon is released. Forests are filters that use this CO2, but wetlands store it. Not to mention that because of the large number of species, they have high biodiversity, and they support the bottom of food webs with food (frogs and bugs have to eat too!). Basically, they provide a safe place for breeding, feeding, and raising babies.