Swamp wetlands: Provisioning services

Abstract

Swamps have been a traditional source of food throughout human history. Food sources range from plants such as lotus and the fruits of many other species including blueberries (shrubs of the genus Vaccinium), in addition to a diversity of fishes, amphibians and reptiles, waterfowl, mammals, and invertebrates. However, wetlands also produce a diversity of other provisioning services ranging from building materials to medicinal and ornamental plants, animals, and minerals.