RUNWAYS, RUNOFF, AND RESTORATION: A REVIEW OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AIRPORTS AND WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS

Abstract

Wetlands are a vital ecosystem found broadly across the planet, but their abundance is shrinking due to anthropogenic causes. Despite federal policies and international conventions to protect the world's wetlands, they are shrinking in size and quantity. Inversely, airport transport is increasing globally. Although airports are not the only culprits of wetland loss, many airports around the world are built on wetlands and continue to degrade and destroy wetland ecosystems. In addition to the destruction of the wetland they are built on, airports change natural hydrology, increase water pollution, and decrease the biodiversity of wetlands. Inversely, wetlands can negatively impact airports by decreasing takeoff visibility and increasing the risk of bird strikes which can damage aircraft and harm passengers. All of these factors diminish the vitality of wetlands and the ecosystem services they provide the planet. The environmental relationship between airports and the wetlands they are built upon is not always negative, but diverse and different around the world. Some airports, like Helsinki Finavia, have created wetland ecosystems and increased the benefits they receive from wetlands, while other airports, like the Denver International Airport, have unfortunately destroyed wetland areas and failed to restore the ecosystem. Additional solutions for the restoration and protection of wetlands are reviewed.