Wetlands and Agriculture

The values of wetlands are commonly known among the general population— waterfowl habitat, sport fisheries, timber, recreation, and so forth. More importantly, ecological wetland functions such as nutrient cycling and mitigation (filtering) of pollutants are becoming more widely recognized, especially in the agricultural community. So then what is the importance of agriculture and wetlands? Although their affiliation may seem antagonistic at first glance, it is more closely related to one of mutualism. Certain agricultural crops thrive in the moist, rich wetland soils, while wetlands near agricultural lands receive nutrient inputs to maintain an ecosystem balance. More importantly, this relationship shows the intricate balance between viable food and fiber production and preservation of natural resources. Wetlands, both natural and constructed, serve as important habitats for a variety of plants and animals. They also serve as natural buffers for rivers, lakes, and streams. By maintaining these wetlands around production agriculture landscapes, significant improvements in water quality may be achieved. This will have a direct effect upon the preservation of our aquatic resources. Therefore it is imperative to not only discuss the historical relationship of agriculture and wetlands, but to also focus on future symbiotic relationships resulting in sustained food and fiber production, while not compromising the ecological integrity of the surrounding watershed. After a brief discussion of the historical relationship between agriculture and wetlands, this chapter will address research results of wetland mitigation of specific agricultural pollutants—sediments, bacteria, pesticides, and nutrients. Further evaluation of the success of riparian wetland habitat will be presented, as well as new discoveries of drainage ditch wetlands for pesticide mitigation. Conclusions and recommendations for future research needs will conclude the chapter.