Big Island in Ohio is just one example of a major restoration project currently in progress. However, the amount of acres destroyed greatly outnumbers the amount of acres restored. Probably the highest decline ever in wetland acreage lost in a decade came between 1985 and 1995 where 1.2 million acres were lost. Six thousand of these acres were of high quality. The remaining wetlands were greatly reduced in quality during that decade.
Wetlands also have a great influence over the health of the environment.
This is also benefit that seems to help people more than the environment and it is easily defended by being many people's main reason for saving natural wetlands. These examples not only benefit the environment, but also seem to benefit people. However, there are still many benefits that purely help the environment. Wetlands also play a vital role in helping wildlife survive. The following statistics are derived from Illinois wetlands.