Wetlands are important ecosystems. They are nature's flood-control systems. They take up excess water unleashed by storms and release it slowly, thereby reducing or eliminating flooding.
Wetlands also filter sediments and break down pollutants.
Still another important function of wetlands is groundwater recharge. Wetlands absorb water that eventually returns to the water table. Without wetlands, aquifers would not be replenished. What is more, wetlands are very productive. The lush wetland vegetation captures the sun's energy and converts it into living plant matter.