The final tipoff is the presence of a hydrological regime. In layman's terms, this means the presence of water at some point in the year. This hydrology is what causes the presence of the other two factors-hydric soils and hydrophytic vegetation. When you find these three characteristics together, then you have a wetland. Trying to figure out which type of wetland you have is another story for another day.
Wetlands are vital to fish and wildlife.
They clean the water and provide habitat for reproduction, feeding and resting. Wetlands are like natural tubs. Their location in areas of low drainage allows them to trap water and all the suspended materials that it carries. Dense hydrophytic vegetation acts as a filter. Wetland soils also act as natural sponges that absorb and store excess flood and surface waters.