The term environmental flows relates to the trade-off between keeping water in a wetland system to meet ecosystem requirements and services to dependent people (such as food, recreation, and cultural identity) versus realizing the direct benefits of removing the water for drinking, growing food, and supporting industry. It describes the quantity, quality, and timing of water flows required to sustain freshwater and estuarine ecosystems and the human livelihoods and well-being that depend on these ecosystems. Environmental flows is a fundamental part of water management.