358 Natural Resources Systems Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. W etlands are transitional areas between terrestrial and aquatic envi- ronments. For years, many people viewed wetlands as undesirable or useless areas. Wetlands were regularly cleared, drained, and filled in to provide more land surface for building construction, or the instal- lation of roads. However, we have since discovered that wetlands are vital to our ecology and that they should be protected and restored whenever possible. Wetlands protect shorelines from erosion, filter water, absorb floodwater, and provide habitat for thousands of wildlife species. Wetlands, considered the most biologically diverse ecosystems, also provide areas for recreational activi- ties, such as boating, fishing, and wildlife observation. This chapter discusses the types of wetlands and their locations, the roles they play in our ecology, and the efforts being made to rehabilitate and restore wetlands around the world. A wetland is defi ned as an area where a varying amount of water cov- ers the soil or is at or near the surface for extended periods. Each wetland is a unique environment formed by the climate, water quality, and soil characteris- tics of its environment. Wetlands in Australia, for example, will be very differ- ent from those in Vietnam or Florida, Figure 15-1. Wetlands found inland are also very different from those found along the coastline. While some wetlands are moist all of the time, others have seasonal dry spells, and the amount of water in some wetlands changes daily with the incoming and outgoing tides. The varying amount of water in a wetland and its location also determines the types of wildlife and plants that can thrive in the area. Before You Read The summary at the end of the chapter highlights the most important concepts. Read the chapter and write a summary in your own words. Compare your summary to the summary provided in the text. pisaphotography/Shutterstock.com Figure 15-1. Wetlands around the world are the link between terrestrial and aquatic habitats. The plant and animal wildlife that relies on each ecosystem varies greatly. A—Cattana Wetlands, Cairns, Queensland, Australia. B—Van Long Lake, Ninhbinh, Vietnam. C—Everglades in Florida. AustralianCamera/Shutterstock.com A C B John Bill/Shutterstock.com