Coastal wetlands serve as nurseries for marine fishes with 80 species found in California estuaries. Between 60 and 90 percent of commercially important fish and shellfish spend part of their life in coastal salt marshes and estuaries. Wetlands are 10 times more productive than open ocean because of warmth and more nutrients. Coastal wetlands provide habitat for migrating, wintering and breeding birds. About 400 species of birds are represented in Orange County with more than 200 in the wetlands.
Coastal wetlands serve as havens for native plants and animals.
Santa Ana River presents the greatest flood threat west of the Mississippi in terms of potential economic loss. Coastal wetlands also serve as outdoor laboratories for scientists and educators and provide sediment traps and erosion control.