When most people think of wetlands, they might picture murky swamps or buzzing marshes, but wetlands are so much more than that. These unique ecosystems are critical to biodiversity, water quality, and even the health of our economy. Yet, despite their importance, wetlands are under threat. Understanding what wetlands are and how they’re protected, especially under the national Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), is key to preserving them for the future.
What Are Wetlands?
Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil or is present near the surface for extended periods of time, particularly during the growing season. These conditions create anaerobic (low-oxygen) stress in the soil, which supports a unique set of plants and animals.
Wetlands are identified by three main indicators:
Types of Wetlands
Wetlands come in various forms depending on their hydrology and location. Common types include:
Marshes
A marsh in Saginaw, Michigan
Swamps
Forest swamp area in Everglades National Park, Florida
Mangrove Forests
Mangrove Forest in Key Largo, Florida
Riparian buffers
Narrow riparian buffer zone along Roaring Run, Pennsylvania.
What sets these apart is whether they’re influenced by tidal patterns and where their water originates. This distinction also impacts their legal protection status.
Biodiversity in Wetlands
Since wetlands offer a variety of unique characteristics distinct from other ecosystems, wetland animals adapt their habits and their physical appearance to blend well within these habitats. Common characteristics include webbed feet, streamlined bodies, camouflage, and feeding techniques/adaptations that allow for probing in the mud.
Wetlands are especially vital as breeding grounds, and their destruction has far-reaching impacts. In fact, 95% of commercial fishing revenue in the U.S. is linked to species that breed in wetlands. Without these habitats, not only does biodiversity suffer, but so does a significant portion of our economy and food supply.
National Protections – Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act
Under the Clean Water Act of 1972, wetlands that are connected to Waters of the United States (WOTUS)—such as major rivers, lakes, and coastal areas—are federally protected. These connected wetlands play a crucial role in commerce, environmental health, and flood control.
However, isolated wetlands that aren’t linked to WOTUS often fall through the cracks. Without federal protection, they are vulnerable to being drained, filled, or developed.
Here’s where the Endangered Species Act (ESA) steps in. More than one-third of all species listed under the ESA depend on wetlands for survival—whether for breeding, feeding, or shelter. This includes amphibians (ex: eastern hellbender salamanders), birds (ex: whooping crane), mammals (ex: Florida panther), and fish (ex: killfish) that are increasingly threatened by habitat destruction.
State governments have passed protections for wetlands and endangered species too, but it’s a patchwork of protections that vary in strength – some states don’t have any protections at all. And, political border lines mean nothing to water and wildlife. That’s why national frameworks for protections are an important part of the strategy to save wetlands.
Since returning to office in 2025, the Trump administration has proposed extreme rollbacks to the implementation of both the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.
Why It Matters
While protecting wetlands helps save frogs or keeps birds chirping, it’s about preserving ecosystems that support human life, too. The fight to save wetlands is ultimately a fight to sustain the balance of nature and the services it quietly provides every day.
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The post World Wetlands Day 2026: Understanding Wetlands and the Laws That Protect Them appeared first on Endangered Species Coalition.