Wetlands offer flood protection by acting as natural sponges. Wetlands store the flood water and then slowly release it back into the environment. Wetlands provide erosion control . The many plants which flourish in a wetland hold the soil in place with their roots. The plants also absorb the energy or force of impact from the waves and breakup the flow of the waterways.
Wetlands are home to a countless variety of species.
Wetlands offer many unique recreational opportunities and the ability to experience nature at arm lengths. Wetlands provide the perfect environment for outdoor recreation because they are easily accessible, offer close views and interaction with nature, and spectacular scenery. A wetland supports a greater density and diversity of wildlife than any other ecosystem. They have often been compared to rainforests in their diversity, but even those tropical rainforests do not match up when the numbers come in. They are among the most biologically productive ecosystems in the world.