CRS-4 



coastal resources management. Development of knowledge and understanding at 

 a similar level is needed for other wetland areas, a need that is reinforced 

 by the continued rapid conversion of wetland areas. 



Proceedings of recent symposia show that gains in knowledge are being made 

 on all wetlands. Traditionally-valued functions, especially habitat for water- 

 fowl, have a strong research heritage. But knowledge about other functions 

 where the value could be very high, such as in waste assimilation and flood 

 control, are limited. A modest investment in research on these topics now may 

 save substantial Federal expenditures in public works projects in the future. 

 (See discussion of wetland values, pages 51-54.) Scientists have developed a 

 basic understanding of the roles wetlands can play in providing these valuable 

 services, and a limited amount of site-specific data (see pages 44-51). More 

 information that compares different types, sizes, locations, and conditions 

 of wetlands is now needed. 



Knowledge about other functions was gained through research. Th~re may 

 be additional important functions to be discovered — those discoveries would 

 not be possible without research funds. The benefits of research are some- 

 times disappointing. Even when results do not demonstrate a hypothesis, the 

 knowledge gained is useful in focusing further lines of inquiry. Wetland 

 research has provided substantial advances in knowledge in the past 10 to 15 

 years — future benefits from continued research seem apparent. 



Con 



In response, other persons argue that we already know enough about wet- 

 lands in general to make reasonable management decisions. Increased knowledge 

 would improve that capability, but the cost-effectiveness of substantial new 

 research programs does not seem appropriate, especially in this time of budget 



