The basis of the invertebrate food chain in the swamp is the detritus, or leaf litter that covers the floor of the swamp. This litter supports a thriving community of detritivores, organisms that feed on detritus, particles of dead and decaying organic matter. In addition to providing valuable habitat for numerous species, freshwater wetlands also act as filters to remove excess nutrients and toxic pollutants from the water. They are tremendous filters for human sewage, toxic metals, and other types of pollutants. Wetlands also buffer coastal areas against wind and waves, and hold excess floodwater to help protect towns and cities during hurricanes and heavy rains.
Wetlands are of tremendous economic value, yielding timber, furs, crawfish, shrimp, and fish.
Many commercial species live in wetlands or use them as nursery areas. Ecotourism is also a booming business in our swamps. Above and beyond these practical considerations, however, wetlands are aesthetically valuable, and deserve protection in their own right as beautiful natural areas. Our ignorance of their true value is reflected in the statistics of their destruction. In America, over half of our native wetlands are gone.