Ch. 3— Wetland Values and the Importance of Wetlands to Man • 39 



INTRINSIC VALUES OF WETLANDS 



In recent years, the case for preserving wetlands 

 has been based more and more on the ecological 

 services provided by wetlands^ and on the avail- 

 ability of scientific evidence documenting these ser- 

 vices. For example, in a recent paper, William Reil- 

 ly stated: 



Every bit of evidence that does exist suggests that 

 our interior wetlands are vital elements of national 

 estate. But there are many challenging voices — 

 questioning voices. These will become stronger in 

 future years. They will demand to be shown the 

 scientific evidence behind wetland conservation 

 decisions (81). 



This situation perhaps has obscured one funda- 

 mental motivation of some for preserving wet- 

 lands — the desire to preserve, intact and unspoiled, 

 unique natural ecosystems. For many personal rea- 

 sons, whether ethical, religious, esthetic, or recrea- 

 tional in nature, people value wedands for their in- 

 trinsic qualities. Because these intrinsic values are 

 intangible and thus difficult to express in quanti- 

 tative and economic terms, they are often over- 

 looked in a society where decisions are based on 

 numerical cost-benefit analyses. Although there 

 have been attempts to quantify these values, this 

 discussion simply identifies those characteristics of 

 wetlands that people value. 



Wetlands as Natural Areas 



Some people are attracted to an environment that 

 essentially is untouched by man's presence,^ which 

 is an attraction akin to the lure of wilderness. One 

 scientist, for instance, writes in the preface to a wet- 

 land study: 



The river swamps are, for many of us in the 

 Southeast, the last wilderness. True, they are nar- 

 row, even the mighty Altamaha swamp scarcely ex- 



^Massachusetts, for instance, the first State to enact a wetland law, 

 recognizes seven wetland values: flood control, prevention of pollu- 

 tion, prevention of storm damage, protection of the public and private 

 drinking water supply, protection of ground water supply, protection 

 of fisheries 1978-79; Act of Mar. 25, 1965; ch. 220, 1965; 

 Massachusetts Acts 116; Act of May 22, 1963; ch. 426, 1963; 

 Massachusetts Acts 240. 



'In the following discussion, examples illustrating these character- 

 istics of wetlands are presented. Unless otherwise noted, these exam- 

 ples are taken fromj. Perry andj. G- Perry, Guide to Nawraj Areas 

 of the Eastern United States (New York: Random House Publishers). 



ceeds 5 miles in width; yet in length they are large 

 indeed, often stretching more than half the length 

 of the state. Narrow as they are, many provide a 

 true wilderness experience. Where else in this 

 mechanized, modern world can we so quickly lose 

 ourselves in wildness without evidence of the mas- 

 sive civUization that surrounds us? (97). 



Part of the reason that marshes, swamps, bogs, 

 and other wetlands are associated with natural, un- 

 disturbed environments is that they are often the 

 last areas to be developed. The difficulty and ex- 

 pense of draining wetlands for development have 

 encouraged people to develop other areas first. 



Various studies have found that wetlands rank 

 high in esthetic quality in comparison to other land- 

 scape types (82). One particular value of wetlands 

 is the attraction of the land-water interface. Many 

 people find the edge between land and sea, lake, 

 or stream scenically appealing, and such areas often 

 include wetlands as well as beaches and banks. 

 Small wetlands are capable of being surveyed in 

 a glance or traversed in a few minutes and offer 

 a contrast to the adjoining land or water. Seen from 

 a passing car or hiking trail, wetland edges buffer 

 commercially or agriculturally developed lands, 

 providing scenic variety. Small wetlands also con- 

 trast with other types of natural areas, such as 

 upland forests or open water. 



Large wetlands have a similar "variety" value 

 along their edges but may have other esthetic at- 

 tributes as well. Of all natural areas, the most mys- 

 terious and haunting in appearance are the large 

 cypress swamps draped with Spanish moss. Less 

 exotic are wooded swamps, which are full of dif- 

 ferent shapes, textures, plants, and animals. Ac- 

 cess and visibility are important factors; for exam- 

 ple, pleasing wooded swamps should not be choked 

 with underbrush that greatly impedes passage by 

 foot or canoe. A large, open, grassy marsh can pre- 

 sent quite an esthetic contrast and a feeling of open 

 space. 



In addition to the esthetic qualities of wetlands 

 themselves, wetland flora and fauna lend a special 

 esthetic attraction to wetlands. Waterbirds are a 

 good example: herons, egrets, storks, terns, peli- 

 cans, and cranes all are found commonly or pri- 



