The importance of upland wetlands to groundwater supplies can best be illustrated by comparing them to lakes. A 10-acre bog, which may be more than 80 percent water, can store millions of gallons of water depending on the thickness of the bog, gradually releasing it to groundwater reservoirs to keep wells full and to nurture the growth of vegetation. Bog and lake sediments also serve as traps and reservoirs for valuable nutrients washed down from the uplands by rain and melting snow and required by growing vegetation which, in turn, supports wildlife of various kinds. Numerous upland game birds, such as ducks, grouse, pheasant, and song birds, as well as deer, moose, and small game, require wetland habitats for water and food. Coastal wetlands are important breeding grounds for wildfowl, coastal fish stocks, shellfish and the like.
Tidal flooding brings breeding fish, fish eggs, fry, and young fish into the salt marsh.
Nutrients, washed from the uplands or brought in by incoming tide, are trapped where fresh and salt water meet, providing a rich supply of materials required for growth. The outgoing tide takes with it waste products, as well as the plant and animal life nurtured in the shelter of the salt marsh. Not only does the salt marsh and estuary restock the off shore fishery with young, but it also provides food for larger marine animals which may eventually find their way into fishermen's nets and onto our tables. The fishing industry depends on salt marsh breeding grounds which assure continuing fish stocks for commercial fishermen. For the same reason, recreational fishing is also dependent on the salt marsh, as is the inshore shellfish industry.