Wetland Value Estimate Calculator
Estimate the annual ecosystem service value of a wetland based on area and per-hectare value estimates for flood control, water purification, and carbon storage.
Total Annual Ecosystem Value
$800,000
Total Annual Ecosystem Value vs Wetland Area
Formule
## Valuing Wetland Ecosystem Services Wetlands provide valuable services including flood mitigation, water filtration, carbon sequestration, and habitat for biodiversity. ### Formula **Annual Value = Area (ha) x (Flood Control + Water Purification + Carbon Storage per ha)** Peer-reviewed estimates put wetland ecosystem services at $3,000-$15,000 per hectare per year, making wetlands among the most valuable ecosystems per unit area. Destroying wetlands means losing these free services permanently.
Exemple Résolu
A 100-hectare wetland with typical service values.
- 01Per-hectare total = $4,000 + $2,500 + $1,500 = $8,000/ha/yr
- 02Total annual value = 100 x $8,000 = $800,000/year
- 03Flood control portion = 100 x $4,000 = $400,000/year
Questions Fréquentes
Why assign dollar values to wetlands?
Economic valuation helps policymakers understand the true cost of wetland destruction. When developers only see the land value, they ignore the services worth thousands per hectare annually.
Are these values accurate?
Ecosystem service values vary greatly by location, wetland type, and local conditions. These are mid-range estimates from meta-analyses of published studies.
What other services do wetlands provide?
Beyond the three modeled here, wetlands support fisheries, recreation, groundwater recharge, shoreline stabilization, and biodiversity habitat.