One reason wetlands are so important is the unique wildlife and vegetation they support. They are among the most productive natural ecosystems on the earth. They produce great quantities of plants, some of which could not live anywhere else. Some of the plants specific to wetlands are cattails, swamp rose, spider lilies, and cypress trees. Many of the wetland plants provide food, shelter, and nesting areas for the animals that also make wetlands their home.
Wetlands are major breeding grounds for various resident and migratory birds.
They are migratory stopovers for many species of waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and songbirds. Many species of invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals depend on wetlands for survival. In fact, at least one third of the nation's threatened or endangered species live in wetland areas. Wetlands are extremely important refuges for this plentiful variety of wildlife. Wetlands are diverse and support an incredible diversity of life.