Appreciating tropical coastal wetlands from a landscape perspective

Abstract

Freshwater forested wetlands are often found just upslope from mangrove forests in both high‐ and low‐rainfall areas in the tropics. A case study on the island of Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia, demonstrates how important both wetland types are to each other hydrologically and to local economies as well. Together, these wetlands form a landscape that provides goods worth the equivalent of nearly two‐thirds the median household income in the region. Elsewhere around the world, similar contiguous pairs of wetlands are extensively used by local populations. However, while the importance of mangroves is well recognized, goods and services provided by freshwater wetlands – which are also much threatened by coastal development – are not nearly so well documented. Because such landscapes provide sustenance for millions of people, the natural and socioeconomic roles that both types of wetlands play must be better understood and protected as plans for coastal development proceed.