9 Interesting Wetland Facts

A wetland is exactly as it sounds: land that’s saturated with water. Due to their unique nature, they are home to a diverse range of species. In an average wetland, a combination of soil and plants help filter the water. Because of this, we have access to clean water in our lakes and rivers.

Because wetlands are so unique, they support an astonishing range of plant and animal species — including many endangered species. So, when they're converted for development projects, it has a cascading effect on the wildlife species that rely on them. By protecting wetlands, we are also protecting ⅓ of the world’s endangered species!

Peat wetlands, commonly known as peatlands, are a subtype of wetlands. Peatlands have the ability to decompose ground materials at a much faster rate than other ecosystems. This leads to the creation of what is called peat, a natural compost that is rich in nutrients and high in carbon. 

Experts have categorized wetlands into 5 different categories according to their location, water chemistry, animal life, and more. The 5 types of wetlands are known as marine wetlands, estuarine wetlands, riverine wetlands, lacustrine wetlands, and palustrine wetlands. Wetlands are typically found near waterways, and each of these categories reflect the waterway, serving a critical role in the ecosystem.

In a world where floods are becoming increasingly common, the need for wetlands is apparent. An acre of wetlands can store anywhere from 1-1.5 million gallons of floodwater, becoming a natural buffer during storm surges and reducing the powerful effects of the storm. Because of this, wetlands are an important frontline defense against hurricanes, so it's incredibly important to protect them while we still can. 

Many people may know about wetlands, but they may know them by an entirely different name. In fact, many people are probably aware of these different names without even knowing they apply to wetlands as well. Some of these names include: mangrove, estuaries, marshes, deltas, and bogs. Do you have a wetland near you?

By now, we know that wetlands are an important barrier during storms, acting as nature’s first defense against flooding and storm surges. However, wetlands also help control erosion, by reducing the pressure of stormwater on the soil, thus reducing the likelihood of landslides and other events. 

Older freshwater wetlands help remove more carbon than they emit, effectively helping us combat climate change and reduce climate change impacts over time.

Spanning more than 42 million acres, the Pantanal is the largest tropical wetland in the world — and it's one of the most pristine, too. It sprawls across Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay, and supports millions of people there, as well as communities downstream.