4.1.10.D

Functions of Wetlands
Once thought to be inconvenient or inhospitable, wetlands now have many useful functions. The functions include regulating water levels in watersheds and reducing flood and storm damages, improving water quality, providing a habitat for fish and other wildlife, and supporting fishing, hunting, and other recreational activities. Wetlands can even take the place of expensive wastewater treatment plants. Wetland ecosystems provide a lot of food that can attract many different species and also provide a safe place for animals to raise their young. Some scientists also believe that wetlands have a role in regulating global climate conditions because the plants and the soil can store carbon. This prevents carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere (American Rivers 2007).

Emergent are plants that have roots in the bottom but have stalks that rise above the surface of the water. Emergents slow the flow of water and henceforth play a part in erosion control in rivers, lakes, and streams (Missouri Botanical Gardens 2002).

Wetlands also provide humans with many products and food includingfish and shellfish, blueberries, cranberries, timber, and wild rice. Some medicines are made from plants that grow in wetlands. Another way that wetlands benefit humans is that they provide erosion control. Erosion control is provided by the roots of plants that hold the soil in place, absorb energy of waves, and break up currents from rivers and streams (Environmental Protection Agency 2007).

4.1 Watersheds pd2