This is mainly due to the increased awareness about the protection of wetlands. However, the number of migratory ducks have decreased due to the destruction of naturally occurring wetlands. Thirty of forty-three endangered or threatened birds in Illinois are strongly associated with wetlands. Forty-seven of sixty reptiles also utilize Illinois wetlands. Wetlands are home to many beautiful and rare species of many different types of animals, such as muskrats, beaver, mink, otter, and alligators.
Wetlands are also home to commercial and recreational fish, shellfish, and wildlife.
This world is driven primarily by monetary values, so the economic values of wetlands is the biggest factor in deciding whether the future destruction of wetlands should go on. Wetlands are also a huge provider of timber, wild rice, furs, blueberries, cranberries, and medicines derived from wetland soils and plants. People also use wetlands for recreational use. The use of wetlands by people accounts for a significant amount of the money in the United States. There have also been scientific studies done to determine the economic benefits of wetlands in the United States.