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Better Wetlands

Wetland Values

Wetlands have long been underrated for their many values. They are just now becoming better understood. Among those values are:

Habitat for Wildlife

Wetlands are prime habitat for breeding, nesting, feeding and cover for invertebrates, insects, amphibians, reptiles waterfowl, songbirds, and mammals. Wetlands in the United States support about 5,000 plant species, 190 species of amphibians, and a third of all native bird species.

Water Quality

The cleansing power of wetlands provides natural pollution control by removing agricultural chemicals and nutrients. They can also be an efficient alternative for sewage and animal waste treatment.

Economics

Trying to farm frequently flooded areas can be expensive; the better economic choice may be to restore a wetland.

Filter Sediment

Wetlands filter and collect sediment from runoff water, helping prevent mud from clogging lakes and reservoirs farther downstream.

Reduce Soil Erosion

Wetlands slow the overland flow of water, reducing soil erosion along
water courses downstream.

Reduce Flooding

Wetlands store rain water temporarily, allowing it to percolate into the ground or evaporate. The temporary storage reduces peak water flow.

Enjoy the Outdoors

Wetlands are ideal places to hunt, watch wildlife, take photographs and just relax and enjoy nature.

Continue > Regulate Water Levels

Contact Information

You may send comments regarding this Web site to:

State Biologist

Mike Townsend
Syracuse, New York
Telephone: 315-477-6537

• Additional NRCS New York contacts

If you encounter any problems with files provided on this page, have questions, suggestions, or find a broken link, please contact Gary Vandawalker at 315-477-6546.

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