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Proponents of additional research on freshwater systems point out that 

 before about 1970, most wetland research was concentrated on coastal areas. 

 As Federal and State coastal zone management programs developed, those pro- 

 grams have been able to take advantage of the products from such research 

 projects to place management of wetlands resources within a broader context of 

 coastal resources. 



In contrast, our knowledge and understanding of non-coastal wetland areas 

 is considerably less, although it is these areas that are under the greatest 

 pressure for conversion. State and regional surveys have repeatedly shown that 

 losses in many freshwater areas have been high and accelerated from past levels 

 in recent years. (See discussion of wetlands inventory, pages 65-66.) But 

 relatively little is known about freshwater wetlands. They are more diverse 

 than coastal wetlands. Consequently, research results from one wetland type 

 generally are not transferable to draw conclusions about nearby wetlands of 

 another type. Only with increased and focused research can these functions 

 and their values in the diverse array of freshwater wetlands be understood. 

 Freshwater wetlands need to be studied just as coastal wetlands have; a result 

 of such studies should be recognition of high values, where appropriate, and 

 difficult degrees of protection under different circumstances. 



Some of the largest conflicts over wetlands management decisions seem to 

 occur where research information is limited. Agencies charged with protecting 

 these resources will tend to be more skeptical of proposed changes if data are 

 lacking. Research results can provide a base for informed dialogue between 

 opposing points of view, especially when a strong protection program is com- 

 peting with a major development proposal. 



