Wetlands naturally buffer the River’s shores

What is a wetland?

A wetland is a unique ecosystem where the soil is typically saturated with water. Swamps, marshes, and bogs are all wetlands, and you’ll find wetlands throughout different climates and on nearly every continent.

Why are wetlands so important?

Wetlands are among nature’s most vulnerable ecosystems, and they play a number of crucial roles:

Wildlife habitat

The thick grasses and rich nutrients of wetlands provide the perfect habitat for many fish and animals.

Water supply

Wetlands act like small reservoirs, slowing the flow of water to allow groundwater recharge and lessen the likelihood of flooding and erosion.

Water quality

Wetlands provide a service no other ecosystem can: they filter out toxins from our water supply. As water slowly flows through a wetland, the thick vegetation catches particulates traveling in the water (as well as litter), and vegetation and soil microorganisms absorb excess nutrients and pollutants the water may be carrying (such as sewage overflow). Many of the harmful pollutants which turn up in our rivers can be stopped before they reach the main body of water if enough wetland habitat is in place.

Probably the most important characteristic of wetlands is that we do not know how to perfectly replicate them. A manmade wetland can be used to treat stormwater, but artificial wetlands are not as effective as natural marshes and bogs.

Because we can never truly reproduce this perfect natural filtration system, it is incredibly important to protect the wetlands we have. The survival of wetland habitat on the shores of the Anacostia is crucial to the river’s restoration. By protecting marshes like the one pictured here and restoring vegetative buffers to the Anacostia’s shoreline, we can create a healthier watershed and a more beautiful ecosystem.

To learn more:

For more information on wetlands:

http://www.epa.gov/Wetlands/