Atheneum Books for Young Readers. Book, Magic School Bus Hops Home. Wetlands serve many purposes. Migrating birds depend upon food from the wetlands that lie on their migratory route. Insects, spiders, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians depend on the wetlands for their habitat.
Wetlands help control floodwaters.
Wetlands help to refill and purify ground water reserves by allowing water to slowly filter downward. Plants such as ferns, cattails, and marsh grasses are often found in wetland areas. Pollutants are often filtered through wetlands. Wetlands provide sanctuary for endangered birds. Wetlands are important to the ecosystem, i.e. the food chain for plants and animals.