NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have released a joint report titled "Status and Trends of Wetlands in the Coastal Watersheds of the Conterminous United States 2009 to 2019" (PDF, 60 pages). The report shows how wetlands in coastal watersheds have changed in type and abundance across the major coastal regions of the contiguous United States. The report is the third in a series, with prior releases reporting on timeframes from 1998–2004 and 2004–2009. The previous study periods provide valuable data to compare to the results of the new report. This helps us to understand longer-term trends in coastal wetland loss and gain across U.S. regions.
Wetland Loss Still Occurring
A key finding in the new report is that wetland loss is still occurring. Freshwater wetlands were most commonly lost to development. Losses to upland forested plantations were also common. Within the saltwater environment, wetlands were most commonly lost to marine and estuarine deepwater (e.g., open ocean). These saltwater wetland losses are most likely related to factors such as sea level rise, land subsidence, and decreased sediment supply.
The rate of wetland loss in coastal watersheds of the conterminous United States from 2009–2019 was less than for the two previous study periods. The decreased rate of loss was greatest for freshwater wetlands. In particular, losses to upland urban and lake areas declined substantially. The rate of saltwater wetland loss also decreased since the previous study period, but was similar to the rate of long-term loss since the 1970s.
What are Coastal Wetlands?
Coastal watersheds—that is, drainage basins affected by tides or adjacent to the Great Lakes—contain many different types of wetlands. These include saline or brackish wetlands such as salt marshes, seagrass beds, and mangroves, as well as non-saline wetlands such as freshwater marshes and swamps (forested wetlands). Wetlands directly on the coast provide a home for juvenile fish; further inland, they absorb flood waters. Wetlands in coastal watersheds are diverse and vital to the health of coastal landscapes. However, wetlands are also some of the most threatened natural systems globally.
Conserving Wetlands Benefits Everyone
Wetlands are essential to the economic prosperity of coastal communities. More than half of the U.S. population lives and works in coastal watersheds, many in fields that depend on wetlands, such as commercial fishing, tourism, and recreation.
Wetlands are also vital because they help to avoid or lessen the impact of many of our most pressing environmental challenges, including:
- Increasing temperatures
- Sea level rise
- Hurricanes and other severe storms
- Droughts and floods
- Wildfires
- Growing need for readily available clean water
The pattern of disproportionately high wetland loss and alteration in coastal watersheds is predicted to continue, if not intensify, in many areas, including the southeastern United States.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries will continue to work with all partners to conserve and restore coastal wetlands. Part of that work includes producing Wetlands Status and Trends reports for coastal watersheds. Scientific information, like this report, is important for effective conservation of wetlands in coastal watersheds. Continuing to reduce the loss of coastal wetlands, especially vegetated wetlands, requires a collaborative approach that includes Tribal, state, local, and private partners. Reducing wetland loss will ensure the lasting health of the nation’s people, environment, and economy.
