Wetlands

Wetlands are areas where the ground is soaked with water for all or part of the year. They include swamps, marshes, and bogs. Wetlands are found on every continent except Antarctica. They are some of the most important ecosystems on Earth.

Nature's Sponge

Wetlands act like giant sponges. They soak up extra water during storms and slowly release it, which helps prevent flooding. Wetlands also filter water by trapping pollutants and dirt. The water that flows out of a wetland is much cleaner than the water that flowed in.

A wet, green forest growing in a swampy wetland.
A wet, green forest growing in a swampy wetland. (Toriqul Islam / Wikimedia Commons)

Wildlife Haven

Wetlands are bursting with life. They are home to frogs, turtles, alligators, birds, and countless fish. Many birds depend on wetlands for nesting. More than one-third of all endangered species in the United States live in wetlands.

Fun Facts

  • Wetlands are home to over one-third of US endangered species.
  • They can filter pollutants from water naturally.
  • Wetlands store more carbon per acre than tropical forests.

Did You Know?

Even though wetlands cover only about 6 percent of Earth's surface, they store about 30 percent of the world's soil carbon. Protecting wetlands is one of the best ways to fight climate change!