Wetlands
A wetland is a land area that is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, such that it takes on the characteristics of a distinct ecosystem.
They protect our shores from wave action, reduce the impacts of floods, absorb pollutants and improve water quality.
Types of wetlands include:
• swamps, marshes
• billabongs, lakes, lagoons
• saltmarshes
• mudflats
• mangroves
• coral reefs
Location: Wetlands are located in all the continents of the world, as represented by the red shading on the world map to the left.