Wetlands trap sediment that may erode from upland areas. This prevent silt from clogging up the streams and filling in the lakes. Pothole wetlands trap many chemicals that are carried on the silt, preventing them from polluting rivers, streams, and groundwater. Standing water in wetlands allow sediments to settle and pollutants to be absorbed by plants. This improves our water quality and lowers water treatment costs for home use.
Farmers use wetlands as grazing areas or hay crops.
In drought years, the wetlands may be the only hay available. Also, many Type I wetlands are farmed once the areas dry up. Wetlands filter out nutrients that run off upland areas. Wetland plants use up many of these nutrients, keeping them out of streams and rivers where they would over-enrich the waters. Wetlands are among the richest habitats on Earth.