WETLAND FUNCTIONS

I. FLOOD ATTENUATION

A. Function of:

topography

vegetation

soils

B. Conditions for high effectiveness

C. Conditions which allow the opportunity

II. SHORELINE STABILIZATION

A. Soil binding

B. Dissipation of energy

III. WATER QUALITY

A. Sediment trapping

1. Vegetation characteristics

2. Topographic characteristics

3. Physical properties

velocity

residence time

available storage volume

B. Pollutant removal

IV. HYDROLOGIC INTERACTIONS

A. Discharge

B. Recharge

V. PRODUCTIVITY

A. Detrital food chain

B. Direct use of biomass

VI. WILDLIFE HABITAT

A. Waterfowl

B. Fisheries

C. Wetland dependent organisms (amphibians, mammals)

VII. BIODIVERSITY

A. Landscape scale

B. Unique habitats and species

C. Site complexity

VIII. REGIONAL/GLOBAL VALUES

A. Nitrogen, sulfur and carbon cycles