- Water filtration: Wetlands help to filter pollutants from water, including sediment, nutrients, and bacteria. This helps to improve water quality and protect aquatic ecosystems.
- Flood control: Wetlands help to store floodwater and slow down the flow of water during storms. This can help to reduce flooding damage to homes and businesses.
- Shoreline protection: Wetlands help to protect shorelines from erosion. This is important for protecting coastal communities from storms and flooding.
- Habitat for wildlife: Wetlands provide habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals, including fish, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. Wetlands are also important stopover points for migratory birds.
- Carbon sequestration: Wetlands help to store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This helps to mitigate climate change.
Wetlands are a valuable resource that provide a wide range of benefits to humans and the environment. It is important to protect these important ecosystems.