Habitat:
Louisiana coastal wetlands provide crucial habitat to migratory birds
along the central flyway. Over 5 million waterfowl winter in the coastal
wetlands.
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Fisheries:
The habitat and detritus found in the coastal wetlands is crucial to
many of the commercially important fishery species. Provides habitat
to over 75% of the state fisheries harvest which is the largest harvest in
the lower 48 states.
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Storm buffering:
The masses of vegetation present in the coastal wetlands have the value
of absorbing storm surge associated with large storms. This value
is estimated to be worth approximately 500 million to 2.2 billion dollars
annually. If this function were to be lost, over 2 million people would
have to relocate from coastal areas. It is estimated that every 2.7
miles of wetland absorb 1 foot of storm surge.
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Nutrient retention:
Louisiana Coastal wetlands lie at the base of the Mississippi river
which drains 41% of the contiguous US and contains nutrient-laden runoff
from 31 states. Much of these nutrients are filtered out by the coastal
wetland plants or are trapped in the sediment which settles out. This
nutrient-removal function is valued at $325/acre/year. Due to channelization
and levy construction, much of this function is lost resulting in the Mississippi
being directed straight into the Gulf of Mexico. The nutrient-rich
runoff results in the formation of a huge hypoxic zone every summer.
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Freshwater
supply: Wetlands serve as important buffers against salt-water
intrusion into groundwater and surface water supplies. Many coastal
communities have had to switch water sources due to salt-water intrusion
as a results of coastal wetland loss.
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Primary productivity:
The marsh types present in the Lousiana coastal wetlands: salt marsh,
tidal fresh water marsh, and fresh water marsh, are three of the most productive
ecosystem types. The salinity gradient present in the wetlands along
with the climate and the nutrient rich source waters provides for a diverse
community which maximizes the available resources. Marshes produce approximately
25% more biomass per acre than the most productive forms of agriculture.
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