Aquatic ecology and Biodiversity

Unit 9- Freshwater environment

9.4.2. Importance of wetlands
• Provide food for many animals.
• Provide important refuges for wildlife
• Provide opportunities for recreation activities such as boating, swimming, bushwalking and bird watching.
• Provide a natural water balance and help to provide protection against floods.
• Give water quality protection in the catchment areas by filtering pollutants
• Provide nursery areas and breeding grounds for fin- and shellfishes and wildlife
• Provide vital habitat for some species of threatened fauna.
• Provide refuge for migratory water birds to breed
• Provide opportunities for scientific research and a source of education for the community.