Wetlands
in their natural state provide a wealth of values to
society and play key roles in our environment. The U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service lists these major wetland values:
U.S.
WETLANDS VITAL
BUT THREATENED
Estimated amount of wetlands in the U.S.
in the 1780's:
221 million acres
Amount remaining today:
Fewer than 99 million acres
Environmental
Quality Values
Water
quality maintenance
Pollution
filter
Sediment
removal
Oxygen
production
Nutrient
recycling
Chemical
and nutrient absorption
Aquatic
productivity
Microclimate
regulator
World
climate (ozone layer)
Fish
and Wildlife Values
Fish
and shellfish habitat
Waterfowl
and other bird habitat
Furbearer
and other wildlife habitat
Socio-Economic
Values
Flood
control
Erosion
control
Groundwater
recharge and water supply
Hunting
and trapping
Recreation
Aesthetics
Education
and scientific research
Wave
damage protection
Timber
and other natural products
Energy
source (peat)
Livestock
grazing
Fishing
and shellfishing
Pennsylvania’s
wetlands are home to many endangered, threatened or
vulnerable plant and animal species. These include the
river otter, as well as five species of turtles, two
of frogs, three of salamanders, and four of fish.
