VIMS

5 expensive things wetlands do for free

For much of human history, wetlands were considered nuisance habitats that would better serve humanity if drained or filled. We now know that wetlands play a key ecological role and provide ecosystem services worth billions of dollars.

Don't see any images? Try refreshing this page!

before after
Filter Water

Left: Wetlands are like kidneys, filtering pollution from runoff before it enters our waterways.
Right: Wastewater treatment plants serve a similar purpose but cost billions of dollars to build and operate.

before after
Nurture Young Fishes

Left: Wetlands nurture the young of many commercially and recreationally important marine species.
Right: Hatcheries are expensive to run, and vulnerable to disease outbreaks and other effects of crowding.

before after
Store Carbon

Left: Wetlands temper global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air.
Right: Human efforts to capture and store carbon are costly, with unknown side-effects.

before after
Minimize Flooding

Left: Wetlands soak up excess rainfall, slow runoff, and reduce hurricane storm surge.
Right: Levees cost millions of dollars per mile and encourage flood-plain development. Their sudden failure can lead to catastrophe.

before after
Control Erosion

Left: Coastal wetlands protect shorelines from scour by waves.
Right: Bulkheads are costly and can actually worsen the erosion they are meant to control.