Vermont Wetlands Section - Wetland Function and Values

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Wetland Functions and Values

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Wetlands serve a variety of functions and values beneficial to the general public and to the environment. The degree to which a wetland serves these functions depends on the hydrology, soil, vegetation, size, and location of the wetland in the landscape. Although a wetland may not serve all functions, each wetland works in combination with other wetlands as part of a complex integrated system. The Wetlands Evaluation Form (pdf, 19 KB) is used by the wetlands ecologists to determine the functions and values of a wetland based on the Vermont Wetland Rules. Wetlands provide the following functions and values (click on the function, or scroll down to learn more):

Links of Interest

USGS National Water Summary on Wetland Resources: overview of the definition of wetland function and values, Wetland Evaluation Technique (WET) to assess the functions and values of wetlands, and other assessment methods.
EPA- Wetlands and People: wetland functions with direct benefits to people.
Wetland Hydrology, Water Quality, and Associated Functions: USGS technical document that includes information on flood storage, water quality, and erosion control.

Updated: January 2002