Wetlands used to be thought of as useless and insect ridden. Millions of them were drained and used as farmland, housing developments, shopping malls, highways, and railroads. By the year 2000, the U.S. may lose another 4,250,000 acres of wetland. This map shows the distribution of wetlands in the United States in the 1780s. This map shows the distribution of wetlands in the United States in the 1900s.
Wetlands are a very important habitat for many plants and animals.
They are home to many different types of animals that make up the food chain. They prevent flooding in a unique way. When rivers and streams overflow their banks, wetlands provide storage for water and prevent soil erosion. Wetlands can help clean water by trapping sediment and pollutants in the plant roots. Their existence helps reduce the number and scope of flood control projects needed.