Wetlands function to:
- provide habitat, breeding grounds, and food for wetland dependent species;
- improve water quality by filtering excess nutrients, breaking down chemical and organic wastes and by trapping sediments;
- absorb peak flows during flood events; and
- recharge the water slowly into underground aquifers.
Riverine, lacustrine, and open water palustrine wetlands, particularly, are popular recreation areas for park visitors.
Several developments are located in and adjacent to park wetlands. The park is developing a General Management Plan (GMP) for the development and protection of natural resources. Knowledge of the location and classification of park wetlands is critical to understanding threats associated with these sensitive resources.
Wetlands, especially palustrine systems, are particularly sensitive to changes in chemistry and hydrology and their ecology may be radically altered by temperature changes associated with global climate change. Park wetlands also serve as critical habitat for amphibians which are thought to be declining world-wide.
A thorough, park-wide inventory of wetlands will be conducted during 1996-97 to facilitate protection of these fragile resources from alterations associated with visitor use or management decisions. Information will add to our knowledge of aquatic ecosystems throughout the park; and will help us meet NPS wetland regulations, guidelines and policies.
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