Wetland Functions and Values

Wetlands represent one of the most important life support systems in the natural environment. Wetlands provide:

• A water filtration system...removing contaminants, suspended particles and excessive nutrients, improving water quality and renewing water supplies.
• An irreplaceable habitat...nesting, feeding and staging ground for several species of waterfowl and other wildlife such as reptiles and amphibians, and also for many species at risk.
• A high quality spawning and nursery area for many species of fish.
• Natural shoreline protection...protecting coastal areas from erosion.
• A reservoir...helping to control and reduce flooding through water storage and retention.
• A source of oxygen and water vapour...playing a vital role in the natural atmospheric and climatic cycles.
• Recreational activities...hiking, birdwatching and fishing.

The functions and values of wetlands are becoming increasingly clear to scientists and those who manage wetlands. However, the difficulty faced by these individuals is how to communicate these functions and values in a way that will be understood by land owners, government regulators and the public.

In other sectors of the economy, the most common way of demonstrating the value of something is to quote a price. But what is the price of a wetland? There is an entire branch of economics emerging that is devoted to the assessment of ecological value. For more information on how to value wetlands, see Putting an Economic Value on Wetlands - Concepts, Methods and Considerations.

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