They serve as important aquifier recharge areas or areas where groundwater is replenished. The plants in wetland areas retain excess nutrients and some pollutants and physically hold soil in place with their root systems, reducing and absorbing wave energy and erosion. In addition, wetlands have recreational, historical, scientific and cultural values. They provide places to hunt, fish, canoe, boat, birdwatch and photograph wildlife, and providing natural scenic vistas for nature lovers and artists. The natural habitat values wetlands provide are numerous.
Wetlands are extremely valuable from a biological perspective.
They provide great volumes of food that attract many animal species. This detritus feeds many small aquatic insects, shellfish and small fish that are food for larger predatory fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals. Many of the U.S. breeding bird populations including ducks, geese, hawks, woodpeckers, wading birds and many song birds feed, nest and raise their young in wetlands. Fish use inland and coastal wetland areas for spawning and nursery areas. Back to Top History of Wetlands Historically, throughout the world, wetlands have often been mistakenly regarded as wastelands because they are wet, soggy, muddy areas that bred mosquitoes, flies, diseases and had unpleasant odors.