Theory 67/Freshwater & Wetland/Nutrient retention
Retention Is a Loading Ratio
The claim
Wetland nutrient retention is set by the ratio of hydraulic load to wetland area, so a small wetland receiving high flow retains little regardless of its vegetation.
01Mechanism
Retention requires residence time for uptake; the ratio sets how long water stays, and therefore how much is processed.
02Prediction
Retention should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Retention tracking vegetation would remove hydrology.