A wetland is defined as an ecosystem in which the soil is saturated with water, or flooded for at least part of the year. From coastal mangroves and salt marshes to inland bogs and river basins, wetlands are home to unique species assemblages and serve as critical habitats for migratory birds. They also perform vital ecosystem services including water purification, groundwater replenishment, flood control, and coastal protection. Human development has already led to the destruction of at least one in five wetlands globally—and many more are now under threat. The good news is that degraded wetlands can be restored, even if not always to their original condition.
