Wastelands to Wetlands: Links Between Habitat Protection and Ecosystem Science

Abstract

The use of science in protecting the functions of wetland ecosystems has been viewed as a success story. We looked for evidence that scientific efforts affected two important actions: (1) the National Wildlife Refuge System was expanded substantially in the 1930s, including many wetlands, (2) legislation in 1972 protected the ``waters of the United States{''} from dredging and filling. The first action was catalyzed by the droughts and catastrophic declines of waterfowl populations during the 1930s. A few key scientists were positioned to acquire and protect wetlands, making choices based on scientific opinions about waterfowl populations. In the 1960s, ecosystem science played a stronger role, with research on freshwater wetlands revealing water quality improvement functions, and studies of tidal marshes linking coastal fisheries to high productivity in salt marshes. Wetland protection followed from strong statements made about these links, even though the science base was limited. The methods by which wetland scientists influenced policy are obscure, because few scientists record such activities. We provide a few case studies of how ecologists have translated science into management action. The effect of wetland protection on science and wetland science on ecosystem science are also viewed as successes. Hundreds of papers on wetland functioning have appeared since 1972, and the science now supports more than one journal.