woNderful wetlands!

Photo by Valentin Salja on Unsplash

A simple definition of a wetland is an environment that combines both land and water, but it is way more than just a puddle of water or a pond! A wetland is an ecosystem that has a great biodiversity of plants, animals, and insects. And that’s not all. They provide flood protection, water quality improvement, valuable products, and recreation and aesthetics, too! It is important to protect wetlands because of the very important cultural and economic elements that they provide to Ohio and the rest of the world. Because of these positive effects on the environment, there is a push to create or restore wetlands across the State of Ohio. State funded programs like H2Ohio and USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are available to public and private landowners to create these areas to help the state with nutrient pollution reduction because wetlands absorb some of the nutrient runoff before it enters our waterways.

Historically, wetlands have been thought of as places to avoid or as only sources of peat and fossil fuels. Because of this view, many of our wetlands have been destroyed (filled in or converted for other uses). Each state and county have wetland systems, but according to the U.S. EPA, the United States has lost more than 50 percent of the wetlands since before the European settlement of North America. More than 90% has been lost in Ohio specifically (Ohio Wetlands Association).   
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According to NRCS, “wetlands occur in many forms, including forested swamps, deep and shallow marshes, bogs, and prairie potholes. Some wetlands such as deep-water swamps are always wet, while others, such as bottomland swamps, dry out in certain seasons. These different types of wetlands have important functions; they protect shorelines, shelter rare and endangered species of plants and animals, and are used for recreation and education.”

Wetlands are often referred to as nature’s kidneys because of their ability to filter nutrients and other pollutants like pesticides and sediment from the water. Wetlands’ highly efficient cleaning power makes them a low-cost alternative for treating areas of concern. Wetlands filter water out in the following ways (Ohio Department of Natural Resources, H2Ohio):
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1. Slow the Flow – Wetlands slow the flow of water to allow nutrient-laden sediment to settle and help prevent further movement of contaminants.
2. Process and Remove – Wetlands process and remove nutrients and other contaminants, helping to prevent their flow further down the waterway.
3. Absorb and Hold – Soil can absorb and hold phosphorus and other nutrients, trapping them on the landscape and preventing them from moving further downstream.

“Wetlands also can help slow the overland flow of water and thus reduce flooding and soil erosion downstream. Coastal wetlands help absorb some of the impact of storm tides and waves before they reach upland areas. Wetlands are reservoirs for rainwater and runoff. They recharge ground water supplies and extend streamflow during periods of drought or low rainfall. Both coastal and inland wetlands provide breeding, nesting, and feeding habitats for millions of waterfowl, birds, and other wildlife.” (NRCS).  Amphibians rely on wetlands due to the fully aquatic stages of their lifecycle, and wet habitat requirements as adults.

Programs exist through Federal, State, and Local wetland programs that protect and restore wetlands, such as USDA’s Wetlands Reserve Program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Wildlife Program, and State programs such as H2Ohio. For more information regarding wetland funding, Warren Co SWCD programs, and/or technical assistance on water or soil questions, contact us at wcswcd@gmail.com or (513) 695-1337. 

​Additional Resources: 

• Natural Resources Conservation Service – https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/water/wetlands/
• Ohio Wetlands Association - http://www.ohwetlands.org/
• Ohio Department of Natural Resources H2Ohio Wetland Program - https://ohiodnr.gov/buy-and-apply/apply-for-grants/grants/h20-grant
• Ohio Department of Natural Resources - H2Ohio Program -  https://h2.ohio.gov/natural-resources/​