You may have some interesting experiences to share about previous visits to a wet, marshy area. All wetlands share characteristics that set them apart from other habitat types. If you visit a wetland, you may find that it looks very different from one season to the next.
Most wetlands have a cyclic nature, changing through the year as water levels rise and fall.
In November at Bosque del Apache NWR , the marsh is busy with the clamor of migrating waterfowl. However, in the dead of winter, wetlands may look stark and barren. This, too, is misleading, as they are still teeming with life below the muddy surface. Because of their unique water-holding capacity, wetlands serve at least four important functions for the rest of the ecosystem. Flood Buffers Wetlands act like giant sponges that slow down and hold water run-off, moderating the release of floodwater.