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AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS,
Citation:
BREIL, P., M. LAFONT, T. D. FLETCHER, AND A. ROY. AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS,. 9780415453448, Chapter 20, Fletcher, T.D. and A. Deletic (ed.), Data Requirments for Integrated Urban Water Management. Taylor & Francis, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, , ., (2007).
Impact/Purpose:
to inform the public
Description:
Aquatic ecosystems are a vital part of the urban water cycle (and of urban areas more broadly), and, if healthy, provide a range of goods and services valued by humans (Meyer 1997). For example, aquatic ecosystems (e.g., rivers, lakes, wetlands) provide potable water, food resources, and recreational opportunities. Aquatic ecosystems also act to filter pollutants, decompose organic material, cycle nutrients. If functioning properly, aquatic ecosystems can mitigate impacts stormwater runoff and wastewater, including thermal disturbance, nutrient loading, and sediment loading. However, these ecosystems have often been considered as receiving waters for discharging and diluting pollutants, ignoring the essential attributes of waterways necessary for providing ecosystem services.
