Wetlands are among nature's most biologically productive areas. In commercial terms, fishing, hunting, timber production along with fur and hide harvesting contribute billions of dollars per year to the nation's economy. Texas is a primary wintering area for North American waterfowl. More than 15 million birds migrate annually through the playa lakes.
Many people think that wetlands are just a flooded area gone to waste.
The trouble with any perception is that it endures until we take a closer, more studied look. Luckily, wetlands secrets are easily seen with just a bit of patience and equipment as simple as a net and magnifying glass. Lifeforms in freshwater marshes are abundant. The true hustle and bustle inherent in wetlands gives way to an amazing diversity of plant and animal life. The vegetation in freshwater wetlands includes soft-stemmed plants, grasses, hardwood trees or mosses, among other things.