If you search for places of beauty, wetlands probably won’t be high on your list. Wetlands are areas of land that are often completely wet with water. Although they might not look very pretty, the roles that they play in nature might go beyond many people’s imagination.

Wetlands appear naturally in almost every part of the world. There are many different types of wetlands on Earth. Along with rainforests, they are among the most diverse (多样的) places on Earth. Besides natural wetlands, humans are also creating man-made ones for a number of purposes about water management.

One of the main advantages of wetlands is that they can prevent floods. They do so by storing water for a certain time and then slowly releasing (释放) it over time. Wetlands operate similarly to sponge (海绵). When it rains heavily and water levels rise, they take in the extra water which may cause floods. This prevents water from entering rivers and streams. Then, when water levels become low later, they will release it. In many cases, wetlands offer a much more natural way than dams (坝). However, it’s important to note that wetlands, like dams, don’t stop all dangers from flooding. Once there is a very heavy rainfall, wetlands may fill up and any extra water will start to run off.

Wetlands also play a part in cleaning water. Farming actions and city waste are main causes of water pollution. Wetlands include plants and organisms that can reduce this pollution by clearing out unwanted things. Wetlands have other advantages for the environment as well. They can help to feed nearby fish populations by releasing something that can be used as food for them into rivers. Also, many animals like frogs use wetlands as baby-raising grounds because they provide the place for catching food and the water required. Some birds also come to the wetlands for food and shelter. Although wetlands may not look pretty, it’s clear that they are able to do the important work which is necessary to make sure that the circle of life remains unbroken.