Why are wetlands important?

Wetlands contribute to the national economy by producing resources and commodities along with other benefits.  Because of the diversity of wetland types and locations, measuring all the benefits would be difficult.  However, here are some reasons why wetlands are important:

• Wetlands are spawning and nursery ares, providing plant food for fish
• Wetlands improve our water quality, by removing toxic substances and sediment while filtering excess nutrients
• Wetlands help to control floods by storing water
• Wetlands provide recreational opportunities, such as hunting, fishing, bird watching and photography