Water evaporated from the seas or transpired from plants returns as rainfall filling both upland and lowland wetlands. Wetland systems, and their forested counterparts, slowly release their waters either to the atmosphere or to the sea, playing a major role in governing world climate. This important plant is used as a food source at the Trust. Leaves, insects and crustaceans in the roots are eaten by waterfowl. Two-thirds of the commercial fish species caught in the U.S.A. and Trinidad and Tobago have spawning grounds in wetlands.
Wetlands are important nesting sites.
The Caroni in Trinidad supports large numbers of Ibis, Herons, Whistling Ducks, Stilts, Rails, Egrets and many more. Both male and female build the nest. Though the female lays the eggs, it is the MALE that incubates them, cares for and protects the chicks and often, when danger threatens, carries the very tiny young under its wings to safety.