Wetlands are many different things to many different people. Some people have never heard of or thought of wetlands. Others are working actively to protect wetlands because of their importance. Wetlands include areas like freshwater and saltwater marshes, wet meadows, swamps, lagoons, bogs and prairie potholes. All wetlands, whether coastal or inland, provide special habitats that serve areas far beyond their boundaries.
Wetlands are uniquely important to plants, animals, humans and the total environment.
Wetlands have a unique ability to purify the environment. They act as natural filtering systems and have been shown to be extremely effective in trapping and neutralizing sewage waste, allowing silt to settle and promote the decomposi- tions of many toxic substances. Plants are vital to the wetlands because they help slow the flow of water, absorb excess water, provide oxygen for animals, help nutrients flow through food webs and absorb compounds that may otherwise be toxic to all animals. Wetlands have been converted to other uses or have been destroyed as a measure to cut down on pesky insects. Unfortunately, many people still do not understand the importance of wetlands and therefore ignore the restrictions.