Land Use: Wetlands
Ecosystem Service: Water Supply
Regional Value Estimate: $59 per acre per year
Confidence Level (in estimated value): Medium

How was value determined:

1. The regional value for wetlands water supply was transferred one peer-reviewed study of the impacts of water based activities in South Dakota and Wyoming (Piper 1997).
2. This value (per irrigated acre) was multiplied by the acres of irrigated land and divided by the surface area of water in the West Michigan policy region (National Agricultural Statistics Service 2002).

Value estimate limitations:

1. The value represented here accounts for the quality of water for agricultural irrigations. The value used here may also include a wetland's ability to recharge an aquifer and replenish groundwater supplies and streamflow.
2. Water supply value needs to include other alternative uses such as public, domestic and industrial uses of water.
3. Water supply value also may depend on the quality of water.