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. Many people enjoy recreational aspects of the wetlands through fishing, hunting, and observing. Cheyenne Bottoms is a 19,000 acre wetland in central Kansas near Great Bend. It is one of 5 remaining wetlands in central Kansas. Cheyenne Bottoms is the top shorebird spring migration area in 48 states.