In recent years, saving wetlands has been a critical issue for American conservationists because wetlands are disappearing very rapidly. Wetland conservation is complex problem that forces us to distinguish between needs and wants. One of the more important functions of wetlands is water filtration. Wetlands take nitrogen, phosphorous and heavy metals out of the water that would otherwise go into creeks and bays and into the ocean.
Wetlands also help prevent floods and help maintain local water tables.
When highways are built, wetlands are often drained and filled in. The same happens when subdivisions, parking lots and shopping malls are built .We have to ask ourselves if we can afford to lose our wetlands. Wetlands are very important to everyone who uses water.