Did you know that any place you stand in the State of Delaware is usually within one mile of a wetland? Approximately 25% of the state today is covered by wetlands, but a lot of wetland area has been lost over time due to land conversion to farms and housing developments, storms, and sea level rise.

Aside from providing scenic vistas, serving recreational purposes, and fueling Delaware's ecotourism economy, wetlands have many other important functions. They clean and replenish our drinking waters, provide habitat and food for wildlife, absorb floodwaters, and protect our coasts from storm damage and sea level rise.

Although wetlands provide important ecosystem services, wetland management programs must compete with many other important issues for attention and funding from local stakeholders and decision-makers. Economic studies are often conducted to relay the value of services and resources provided by natural systems in dollar amounts.

With 25% of Delaware's land area consisting of wetland habitat and the continual loss of wetlands due to sea level rise and development, it is important to understand how healthy our remaining wetlands are.

Delaware is known for having some of the highest-quality beaches in the nation because of our commitment to water cleanliness and shoreline nourishment.

Delaware's beaches are a major draw in the summertime for people who live in the surrounding areas for vacation and recreational opportunities.

Definitions for terms used within Environmental Perspectives focused on water quality