Wetlands are the link between land and water. A wetland is an area of land that is saturated with water for at least part of the year and contains plants and animals that are adapted to live in these wet conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas. Although they are often wet, a wetland might be wet for only part of the year.
Wetlands are important for many reasons:
- They provide food, shelter, or nesting habitat for wildlife.
- They help with flood control.
- In dry times, they release water and help creeks maintain steady flows.
- Wetland root systems and soils can filter pollutants out of rainwater and snowmelt.
- Wetland plant roots stabilize soil and help prevent soil erosion.
- Vegetation dampens wave action along lakes and slows the velocity of water in rivers.
- They provide recreation such as hiking, bird watching, canoeing and fishing.
- They enhance the value of neighboring properties.
Because wetlands are so varied and unique, they are one of the most diverse and biologically rich ecosystems.