Connecticut Water Trails Program

Wetlands

So What Does A Wetland Do ?

Wetlands help maintain and improve the water quality of our nation's streams, rivers, and lakes. Many can intercept runoff from the land before it reaches open water. As runoff and surface water pass through, wetlands remove or transform pollutants through physical, chemical, and biological processes. Wetlands are vital to cleansing the water in your watershed, trapping sediment and capturing nutrients from waters that flow through them. Wetlands save communities millions every year that otherwise would be spent on drinking water treatment plants.

Every single wetland function listed below is of major importance !

Wetlands provide food sources for thousands of species, including humans.

Wetlands are the principal habitat for migratory waterfowl.

Wetlands hold water like sponges and prevent soil erosion.

Wetlands provide crucial habitats for a multitude of plant and animal species.

Wetlands replenish ground water supplies with cleaner water after filtering it.

Wetlands are important in preserving biological diversity.

Wetlands are important habitat for endangered and threatened plants and animals.

Wetlands recharge aquifers and provide water for urban and agricultural use.

Wetlands provide for fishing, hunting and outdoor recreation.

Wetlands help control flooding and flood damage.

Wetlands provide direct spawning and rearing habitats for fisheries.

Wetlands absorb and filter pollutants that would contaminate ground water, rivers, lakes and estuaries. 

They are the "kidneys of the environment."

Examples Of What A Wetland Does

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