The wetland is covered or saturated by water for at least part of the year. Wetlands include lakes, rivers, marshes, swamps, bogs and fens. These areas are characterized by standing or moving water. Beaver dams, roads, or natural hills may form a barrier behind which water collects. A lake may form in depressions in the land.
Wetlands hold or slow the movement of water.
This is important where communities occur close to a wetland. The wet areas also form a habitat that is home to many plants, birds, fish and animals. Note the floating masses of vegetation. Some plants in wet areas, such as water lilies, have adapted to the standing water by developing leaves that float. Other plants occupy the shore line where their roots can access plenty of water, but the roots are not actually covered by water.