Mississippi’s Wetland Wealth
Vital to communities, economic growth, and nature
Mississippi's wetlands are among the state's most valuable natural assets, supporting clean water, reducing flood risk, sustaining agriculture and seafood industries, and providing habitat for wildlife.
A new analysis by Earth Economics and the National Audubon Society found that Mississippi's wetlands generate at least $4.3 billion in benefits every year, while approximately 3.2 million acres may be at risk following changes to federal wetland protections.
Wetlands are critical natural infrastructure that help communities avoid costly flood damages, improve water quality, support outdoor recreation, and strengthen local economies. The analysis found that all 2.9 million Mississippians benefit directly from the services wetlands provide.
Key findings include:
$4.3 billion in annual ecosystem service benefits
$3.1 billion in annual benefits from wetlands identified as at risk
$872 million in annual water quality and water supply benefits
$369 million in annual flood mitigation benefits
Benefits reach every Mississippi resident and millions of people beyond the state's borders
The report highlights how wetlands function as a fiscally responsible investment, delivering multiple benefits from a single landscape. By storing water, reducing flood losses, improving water quality, supporting wildlife, and sustaining working lands, wetlands help lower costs for communities, businesses, farmers, insurers, and taxpayers.
This project demonstrates how economic analysis can help decision-makers understand the value of wetland protection and restoration as Mississippi considers the future of state wetland policy.
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If your organization is seeking to quantify the economic benefits of wetlands, natural infrastructure, or conservation investments, contact Earth Economics at info@eartheconomics.org to discuss how we can support your work.
Earth Economics is a nonpartisan environmental economics research nonprofit that transforms nature's value into economic language to help leaders make smarter investments for people and planet.
