Why is maintaining ecosystem productivity crucial in wetlands?

Maintaining ecosystem productivity in wetlands is crucial because it supports diverse plant and animal communities. Wetlands are rich ecosystems that provide habitat for a variety of species, including migratory birds, amphibians, fish, and numerous invertebrates. This biodiversity is essential for the overall health of the ecosystem, as it helps to maintain ecological balance, resilience, and functionality.

High productivity in wetlands means that there are sufficient resources, such as food and habitat, available for these communities to thrive. This productivity is often a result of the unique hydrology, nutrient cycling, and vegetation found in wetland environments, which contribute to a rich food web and complex interactions between species. In turn, these diverse communities support ecosystem services, such as water purification, flood control, and carbon sequestration, which benefit both the environment and human populations.

The other options, while they may have some relationship to wetlands, do not adequately address the primary ecological importance of maintaining productivity for the diversity of life these ecosystems sustain. Attracting tourists or sustainable fishing resources could be indirect benefits arising from a healthy wetland, however, they are not the fundamental reason for why ecosystem productivity matters. Similarly, promoting urban expansion is contrary to the preservation of wetland ecosystems and their biological richness.