What are wetlands?

Browse → Nature → Everything Water
Whether you’re on land or at sea, there are many different areas and landscapes to enjoy on our beautiful planet Earth! Some are as dry as the desert, while others are as wet as the ocean. But what about the places that are somewhere in between?

Wetlands are areas of land where the soil is covered by water, or where water is at or near the surface of the soil for at least part of the year. Because these areas are extremely moist, plants called hydrophytes can grow freely. Cattails, willows and lily pads are all examples of plants that can be found in wetlands. In addition, wetlands are home to many creatures, such as ducks, geese, raccoons, frogs, turtles and snakes.

Wetlands are found on every continent of the world except Antarctica. There are warm wetlands and cold wetlands. Coastal wetlands are found near the ocean, while inland wetlands are away from the sea. Some inland wetlands are on the edges of deep water, such as lakes, while others are surrounded by dry land but occur when water seeps from underground.

by   (whyzz writer)
  • Further information

    There are wetlands that are saturated with water all year long, while others are dry for part of the year. Examples of wetlands include marshes, swamps and bogs. Wetland soils, also known as hydric soils, can have some pretty interesting qualities! For example, some have a blue-gray color below the surface, while others smell like rotten eggs!