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Wetlands are geographic areas that share characteristics of both dry land and bodies of water.  Wetlands are found typically in low lying areas that receive fresh water at the edges of lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers.  Wetlands can also occur in coastal areas that receive salt water, but protected from waves.  The surface of the water is usually at or above the land surface for enough time to restrict the growth of plants to those that are adapted to wet conditions.

Wetlands are the habitat for a wide variety of plants, invertebrates, fish, and larger animals.  Many of the species found in wetlands are very rare, threatened, or endangered species.  The plants and animals found include both those that are adapted to live on dry land or in the water and those that can live only in wet conditions. 

Wetlands can be classified as swamps, marshes, and peat lands varying widely in each.  The boundaries of wetlands can change depending on their water sources.  Swamps are dominated by trees and shrubs and occur in a wide variety of flooding conditions.  Marshes are periodically flooded wetlands.  Finally in peat lands, plants are produced more quickly than they can decay.  The partially decomposed material accumulates and is called peat.  Peat provides an organic soil that influences plant growth.

Wetlands are some of the most diverse ecosystems on earth.  The different plant species of wetlands provide habitats for varied animal communities.  Along with the many microorganisms and ivertebrates, many reptiles such as turtles, snakes, and alligators are common inhabitants of wetlands.  Many amphibians, such as frogs, salamanders, and toads live in wetlands during some period of their life cycle.  Many fish species recquire wetlands for spawning, feeding, or protection from predators.  Birds are drawn to wetlands because of the abundant food sources and nesting sites.  About one-fourth of the plants, one-half of the fishes, two-thirds of the birds, and three-fourths of the amphibians listed as threatened or endangered in the United States are associated with wetlands.

Inland wetlands help control floods by storing and slowly releasing water to downstream after a flood peak.  Wetlands can reduce wave action and slow water flow, reducing erosion and causing sediment to settle out of the water.  This helps improve water quality, along with the removal of nutrients and pollutants from the water by water growing plants along with the chemical processes of wetland sediments.  Wetlands may also act as a site for surface water to seep into the ground and replenish the groundwater.

Wetlands provides possible recreational activities, such as bird-watching, hunting, fishing, trapping, and hiking. Along with recreational activities, they provide educational opportunities for nature studies and scientific research. Some North American wetlands are of archaeological interest because Native American settlements were located near them. Human fossil remains from about 2000 years ago have been found in peat lands in Denmark and England.  The fossils were preserved by acidic and anaerobic (low-oxygen) conditions. Wetlands are also valuable for the food and timber harvested from them.