What ecosystem services do wetlands provide?

Answer 1

Cultural significance

Tourism

Biodiversity

1. Breeding ground for many types of birds
2. Waterfowl rely on them for breeding and migration
3. Nurseries for young fish
4. Perch and pike use these

Climate regulation - carbon sequestration

1. Plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere via photosynthesis
2. Wetlands are anaerobic - little oxygen in flooded areas → slower decomposition
3. As plants die they are buried under sediment and not highly decomposed
4. Little CO2 released back to the atmosphere
5. Long term carbon storage = carbon sequestration

Bioremediation / water filtration

1. Plant roots - filter sediments and organic carbon
2. Similar to an air filter - bigger particles can't pass through
3. Sediments - absorb excessive nutrients
4. Carbon rich soils acting like a carbon filter - certain molecules are attracted to it and held there
5. Microbial communities - break down pollutants into less harmful forms
6. Plants - absorb heavy metals
7. Removes them from the water body

Flood control

1. Wetlands are able to hold large amounts of water
2. Important after large precipitation events or storm surges