Wetlands provide many functions that are highly valued for their benefits to society. These benefits can be divided into three categories:1) environmental quality values, 2) socio- economic values, and 3) aquatic and wildlife values.
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Wetland Benefits
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Wetland Values
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| Environmental Quality |
Water Quality Maintenance
- pollution filter
- sediment removal
- oxygen production
- nutrient recycling
- chemical and nutrient absorption
Aquatic Productivity
Climate Regulator |
| Socio-Economic |
Flood Control
Shoreline Erosion Control
Groundwater Recharge - Water Supply
Harvested Products
(timber, peat, fish, shellfish)
Hunting, Recreation
Aesthetics
Education and Scientific Research |
| Aquatic and Wildlife |
Habitat
- aquatic
- waterfowl and birds
- wildlife |
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated the economic values of wetlands in Maryland within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (EPA, 1997).
Economic value of Maryland's Chesapeake Bay Wetlands
RECREATIONAL
ACTIVITIES |
Sport fishing expenditures totaled
$275 million and supported 8,300 jobs
Retail sales from wetland-dependent migratory bird hunting totaled
nearly $20 million
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ECONOMIC
VALUE |
Commercial fish harvesting contributed
7.7 million pounds of fish worth
$5.2 billion in 1993
57 million pounds of crabs were
harvested with a commercial
value of $35 million in 1993
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