Nutrients in Wetlands: Implications to Water Quality under Changing Climatic Conditions

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Nutrients in Wetlands: Implications to Water Quality under Changing Climatic Conditions

Globally, wetlands can be found in all climates ranging from the tropics to the tundra, with the exception of Antarctica. Approximately 6% of Earth's land surface, which equals about 2 billion acres (approximately 800 million hectares), is covered by wetlands.

The United States alone contains about 12% of the world’s wetlands, or about 274 million acres (111 million hectares) of wetlands. Soil and water quality within a watershed are influenced by agricultural, forested, range, wetland and urban land management.

Non-point source pollution of streams, rivers, groundwater, lakes, wetlands, and estuaries is linked to the management practices used in these ecosystems. The question of immediate concern is: Are the current watershed management practices compatible or adequate to sustain, protect and preserve wetlands and water resources?

While many current practices are compatible, not all are adequate to sustain water resource quality and protect wetland resources.

Prepared by:

K. Ramesh Reddy , University of Florida

D. DeLaune , Louisiana State University C. B. Craft, Indiana University

Prepared for:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Office of Science and Technology

Office of Water

Reddy, K. R., R. DeLaune, and C. B. Craft. 2010. Nutrients in wetlands: Implications to water quality under changing climatic conditions. Final Report submitted to U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA Contract No. EP-C-09-001.

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