Wetland loss and biodiversity conservation

Most species of wetland-dependent organisms live in multiple and local popu lations sustained through occasional migration. Retention of minimum wetlan d local populations sustained through occasional migration. Retention of mi nimum wetland densities in human-dominated landscapes iis fundamental to co nserving these organisms. An analysis of wetland mosaics was performed for two regions of the northeastern United States to asses the degree to which historical wetland loss alters the metrics of wetland mosaics and to asses potential future effects mediated by differently structured wetland regulat ions. These analyses indicated that profound reductions in wetland proximit y are associated with increased human populations and that protections for all wetlands > 1 acre (0.4ha) are likely required to retain wetland densiti es minimally sufficient to sustain wetland biota.