A
wetland is an area of land whose
soil is
saturated with
moisture either permanently or seasonally. Such areas may also be covered partially or completely by shallow pools of water.
[2] Wetlands include
swamps,
marshes, and
bogs, among others. The
water found in wetlands can be
saltwater,
freshwater, or
brackish. The world's largest wetland is the
Pantanal which straddles
Brazil,
Bolivia and
Paraguay in
South America. Wetlands should be kept safe and from harm of ecological dangers.
Wetlands are considered the most biologically diverse of all ecosystems. Plant life found in wetlands includes mangrove, water lilies, cattails, sedges, tamarack, black spruce, cypress, gum, and many others. Animal life includes many different amphibians, reptiles, birds, and furbearers.[3]
In many locations, such as the United Kingdom, Iraq, South Africa and the United States, wetlands are the subject of conservation efforts and Biodiversity Action Plans.
Wetlands also serve as natural wastewater purification systems--e.g., in Calcutta, India[4] and Arcata, California.[5]
