Although a small percentage of the earth’s surface, wetlands contain important ecosystems that impact human life. They function as regulators of water regimes and water storage and help with flood prevention and natural water treatment.
They represent habitats with incredible biodiversity and help maintain typical submerged water communities in seas, rivers, marshes and lakes. They support many species of birds and mammals, fish, amphibians, shellfish and insects as their habitat or during migration and breeding season. Wetlands also contribute to many fundamental economic and social values.