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To truly undedrstand the effect wetlands have on the environment, you must first know what a wetland is and where they are likely to occur. Wetlands are abundant throughout North America. Infact, wetlands are found in every continent except Antarctica. You may have a wetland near your home and not even know about it. Wetlands appear in many locations because, different wetlands occur in different conditions. The word "wetland" is a collective term meaning marshes, swamps, or peatlands (more commonly known as bogs).
These different kinds of wetlands occur in different places, and can be quite different from each other.
The conditions required to sustain them as well as the plants and animals that habitat them vary, so it is important to study them seperately.
I the following sections, I shall look at the characteristics of each of the main kinds of wetlands induvidually. Intro What is a Wetland? Functions of Wetlands Destruction |