Final Flashcards
Wetland Functions
The physical, chemical, and biological properties of wetlands operating in natural systems
Wetland Values
Benefits of wetlands to society
Groundwater recharge/discharge
water percolates and recharges to groundwater, high water tables discharge into wetlands
Floodflow Alteration
(Flood control) store and slowly release floodwaters downstream
Sediment/toxicant/pathogen retention
release sediment from floodwaters by reducing flow velocity (80-90% of sediments in floodplain wetlands; 70% of Phosphorus + nitrogen)
Production Export
potential for aquaculture or harvesting vegetation
sediment/shoreline stabilization
ability to keep shoreline intact from erosion (hurricanes)
wave barriers
wetlands along large lakes and rivers weaken storm tides/waves before they reach the uplands
water supply
potential source of water in urban areas
wildlife habitat
over 50% of 800 spp of migratory birds rely on wetlands
Threatened & Endangered species habitat
30% of all T&E spp wetland dependent (wetlands only 5% of US land mass)
fish and shellfish habitat
important for spawning and nursery
recreation
fishing, hunting, observing wildlife
educational/scientific
areas for environmental education and research
uniqueness/heritage
“one of a kind” wetlands for a region or area; historic and archaeological
visual quality/aesthetics
areas of diversity and intrinsic beauty
animals used for fur harvest
1) muskrat 2) nutria 3) beaver 4) mink
3 uses for a beaver’s tail
as a rudder, to store fat, and to slap on water to warn enemies
why are there so few wetland obligate mammals?
they are less mobile than birds (cant travel to new wetland) and therefore have limited evolution of characteristics due to wetlands’ seasonal hydrologies
TNW
Traditional Navigable Waters
SWANCC case ruling
isolated, intrastate, non-navigable waters can not be regulated under the Clean Water Act based solely on the presence of migratory birds.
original 1948 statute
1) reduce pollution of interstate waters and tribs
2) improve sanitary condition surface/ground waters
3) improve public water supplies
4) consider propagation of fish and aquatic life
5) section 404 of Clean Water Act
Section 404 of CWA
“to regulate the discharge or fill material into waters of the US, including wetlands
who is the regulatory agency of S.404?
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers