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Wetlands sit along coastal areas and dot higher ground. These lush and vibrant areas are a place of beauty often visited by nature enthusiasts. They serve as an economic backbone to their neighboring communities, providing tourism revenue, hunting and fishing. They are also vitally important to the world's ecosystems. > > ==Migration Points== > > ==Water Filtration== > > ==Flood Control== > > ==Erosion Prevention==
 * 1) ==Animal Habitats==
 * The wetlands serve as both a home and a breeding ground for several species of mammals, reptiles and fish. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, about 35 percent of the animals and plants on the threatened and endangered species list live in or depend on wetlands. The wetlands also serve as a birthing center for several species of animals and fish. Their lush plant life gives the young a chance to grow into maturity safely before moving to permanent habitat.
 * During the autumn months, several types of birds use the wetlands as a stop in their migration patterns. Ducks, sandpipers and eagles all stop in the wetlands to feed before continuing to their winter homes. Other types of birds make the wetlands their permanent migration point and live in the area throughout winter.
 * During spring, the wetlands absorb water from rain. The plants in the wetlands filter this water through their roots, removing impurities. As the dry months of summer approach, the wetlands feed this clean water up streams into other areas, allowing the ground to stay moist and vegetation to grow. This process also refills drinking water stores.
 * Wetlands that lie in coastal regions provide flood control. The plant life in the wetlands slows the speed of storm surges by providing a protective barrier. Meanwhile, the marshy ground in the wetlands absorbs much of the rainfall. As a result, less damage occurs to areas outside of the wetlands.
 * Wetlands in coastal regions prevent erosion of the coast. Without the wetlands, coastal regions would be bombarded by waves, heavy storms and hurricanes that would eventually carry sand into the ocean and erode higher lying areas. The wetlands act as a barrier between the ocean and solid land. Wetland plant life slows the speed of storms, and the roots of the plants hold the soil and sand in place.

Read more: [|Why Are Wetlands Important to Ecosystems? | eHow.com] []