9 ADVANTAGES OF WETLANDS

 Wetlands are land area that is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, such that it takes on the characteristics of a distinct ecosystem.

wetlands are generally distinguished from other water bodies or landforms based on their water level and on the type of plants that strive within them.

importance OR advantages of wetlands

• Wetlands prevent flooding by holding water much like a sponge. By doing so wetlands help to keep rivers levels normal and filter and purify surface water. in other words wetland can temporarily store rainwater and thus slow down and spread out the timing of runoff. this helps protect downstream areas from flooding and erosion

• Wetlands release vegetative matter into the river, which help feed fish into the rivers.

• Many coastal and inland wetlands are popular location for tourist and recreational activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, camping and bird watching.

• Wetlands are highly productive ecosystem that provide the world with nearly two third of its fish harvest.

• Many animals that live in the other habitat use wetlands for migration and reproduction. For example herons nest in large trees but need shallow areas in order to wade for fish and aquatic life. Amphibians also often forage in uplands areas but return to the water to mate and reproduce

• Erosion control, emergent plants (plants firmly rooted in muddy bottom bot with stalks above water surface) are able to radically slow the flow of water. As the result they  can counter the erosive forces of moving water along lakes or rivers and in rolling agricultural landscapes

• Wetlands clean the water by filtering out sediments, decomposing vegetative matter and converting chemicals into useful forms.

• It support agricultural activities by providing water for irrigation and livestock and for domestic consumption. Pasture on inland floodplain wetland are more productive than those in adjacent areas.

• wetland areas are source of water supply. wetland are reliable source of water and if the underlying geology is suitable, are major source of ground water resupply

• fisheries: wetland provide spawning and nursery ground for many species of fish

• food chain : food materials produced in wetlands support fish and wildlife in adjacent areas

• education and scientific research: wetland provide outdoor laboratories and living classroom for studying and appreciating natural history, ecology and biology

• open spaces and aesthetic recreation: wetlands provide variety in the landscape and relief from development. they provide a sense of connection to the natural world