We chose to research wetlands because they are truly unique and special. Wetlands were extremely common during prehistoric times, but now only small areas remain. Some plants and animals exist only in wetland biomes, such as starfruit and water vole. But, as the amount of wetlands has decreased, many organisms have become endangered and even extinct. We wanted to know more about the characteristics of wetlands and what is being done to help the environment. A wetland is an area where the ground is wet or under water most of the year. Therefore the ground is mostly soggy and soft. Swamps and wet meadows are flooded grasslands, swamps are aquatic forests, and bogs and bogs are areas with peat-covered soil. Tidal activity causes the water levels of coastal marshes to change. Every year wet meadows are flooded for short periods; therefore, they have drier soils than most other wetlands. In many large wetland complexes, different wetlands overlap with each other, and organisms in individual wetlands interact with organisms in a neighboring wetland. Wetlands are considered transitional habitats, meaning lands between solid soils with flowing or stagnant water. Thanks to the humid conditions of the wetlands, it is one of the richest habitats on earth. Wetlands provide many valuable resources, such as food supplies for the “hungry season,” domestic water, and materials for income diversification. People gather various berries to eat from wetlands, as well as moss and wild rice. Wetlands also produce fossil fuels. Wetlands perform essential functions in our environment, such as providing habitat for animals and helping to prevent erosion. Wetlands do not have a characteristic climate...... middle of paper ......du/islandcreekes/ecology/common_cattail.htm >. "Nurseries, habitats and breeding grounds". Benefits of wetlands. Np, nd Web. June 20, 2010. .Philadelphia Zoo. "American alligator." Philadelphia Zoo. Np, nd Web. June 20, 2010. .Stone, Lynn M. Wetlands. Vero Beach: Rouke Enterprises, INC., 1989. Print. “Examines the wetland as an ecological niche and describes the plant and animal life supported there.” US Fish & Wildlife Service. Np, June 18, 2010. Web. June 20, 2010. .“Why are wetlands special?” Southern Downs Online. South Downs Joint Committee, nd Web. 20 June 2010. .