for all or part of the year, and they re vital to wildlife and people. the amount and timing of water determines the kinds of plants, bugs and animals that use the wetland. they make our water cleaner by filtering out pollutants. wetlands also soak up water and release it more slowly. this benefits communities because heavy rain and runoff are absorbed into this natural reserve. in fact, a one acre wetland in the northern u.s. prairies holds around 360,000 gallons of water. that s enough water for eleven households to use every single day. without wetlands, cities may need expensive dams, levees or complex filtering systems. and many communities depend on the economic boost from outdoor recreation that wetlands provide. wetlands keep our land, people and communities
for all or part of the year, and they re vital to wildlife and people. the amount and timing of water determines the kinds of plants, bugs and animals that use the wetland. they make our water cleaner by filtering out pollutants. wetlands also soak up water and release it more slowly. this benefits communities because heavy rain and runoff are absorbed into this natural reserve. in fact, a one acre wetland in the northern u.s. prairies holds around 360,000 gallons of water. that s enough water for eleven households to use every single day. without wetlands, cities may need expensive dams, levees or complex filtering systems. and many communities depend on the economic boost from outdoor recreation that wetlands provide. wetlands keep our land, people and communities