Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season. Water saturation (hydrology) largely determines how the soil develops and the types of plant and animal communities living in and on the soil. Wetlands may support both aquatic and terrestrial species. The prolonged presence of water creates conditions that favor the growth of specially adapted plants (hydrophytes) and promote the development of characteristic wetland (hydric) soils.
Wetlands vary widely because of local differences in soils, topography, climate, hydrology, water chemistry, vegetation, and other factors, including human disturbance.
There are three main characteristics present in every wetland:
1. Water is at or near the surface for some part of the year, this known as hydrology.
2. Soils are saturated, meaning you can squeeze water out of a handful of soil, for some part of the year. (This prevents or greatly slows decomposition of organic material in the soil.)
3. Plants that grow in wetlands either need or are adapted to growing in wet soils.
Learn More About The Five Main Wetland Habitats
Discover MNA Wetland Sanctuaries
Wetland Habitat Information is provided by United States Environmental Protection Agency.
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