How do Wetlands Function and Why are they Valuable?

Wetlands are one of the world's most productive ecosystems comparable to tropical rain forests and coral reefs. A wide variety of microorganisms, plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish and mammals may be part of wetland ecosystems. The physical and chemical properties of the climate, the shape of the landscape (topology), geology, and water movement and concentration can identify animals and plants inhabiting each wetland. The complex dynamic relationship between living organisms in a wetland environment is called a food net. This is why the wetlands in Texas, North Carolina, Alaska are different.

Wetlands can be regarded as "bio supermarkets". They offer a lot of food and attract many species of animals. These animals use wetlands in part or all of their life cycle. Leaves and stems of dead plants decompose in water to form small particulate organic matter called "collapse". This abundant substance feeds many small aquatic insects, shellfish and small fish, which are large predator fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals.

The functions of wetlands and their value to human society depends on the complex relationship between wetlands and other ecosystems within the catchment. Watershed is a place where water, sediment and dissolved matter flow from higher levels to general low salt water outlets and basins, or into larger rivers, lakes, potential aquifers and estuaries.

Wetlands play an essential role in watershed ecology. The combination of shallow water, high levels of nutrients, and primary productivity forms the foundation of the food web and is ideal for the development of organisms that feed many kinds of fish, amphibians, crustaceans and insects. Many birds and mammals depend on wetlands for food, water and evacuation centers, especially during migration and breeding.

Wetland microorganisms, plants, wildlife are part of the global circulation of water, nitrogen and sulfur. In addition, scientists are beginning to realize that maintaining the atmosphere may add wetland functions. Wetlands are not released into the atmosphere like carbon dioxide but store carbon in plant communities and soils. Therefore wetlands will help alleviate global climatic conditions

Today wetlands are known to provide various valuable functions. They provide important habitats for fish and wildlife, purify contaminated water, and confirm the destructive power of floods and storms. There are opportunities for recreation such as fishing, hunting, photography, wildlife observation etc. in the wetland zone. They are soon recognized as a productive and precious public resource

Probably wetlands are known for their habitat function, and it is good for wildlife. Habitat is defined as part of the physical environment in which animals and plants live (Lapedes, 1976), which is one of the most productive habitats in the world (Tiner, 1989). They provide food, water, habitat for fish, shellfish, birds and mammals, and they are breeding grounds and seedbeds for many species. Many endangered species of animals and plants depend on wetland habitats for survival. (Please refer to the article "Wetlands are the bird's habitat" in this volume.) Hydrological function is the amount of water entering, storing, or leaving a wetland. These functions include factors such as reduced flow, role of wetland as groundwater recharge or drainage area, wetland effect on atmospheric process.

Wetland functions are defined as physical, chemical, and biological processes or attributes important for the integrity of wetland systems. Since wetlands are often the transitional zone (ecological zone) between the land water system and the deep ocean water system, many processes are important to the species. Because wetlands can provide food and habitat for many terrestrial organisms and many aquatic organisms, wetland biodiversity is often higher than adjacent ecosystems. In addition, wetlands affect the output of organic matter and function as a source of inorganic nutrients and atmospheric carbon. They play an important role in the biosphere by providing habitats for several plants, animals and other organisms; they also have the last evacuation for many rare and endangered species You can become a place.