Il Price-Simpson Zone Umide

The Price-Simpson Wetland, pictured here, is one of many throughout the world. It is maintained by the Audubon Society. Wetlands occur on every continent except Antarctica. I am fortunate to pass this beautiful sanctuary along a familiar travel route. Each time I pass it, it never fails to captivate me, regardless of the season. But never does it call to me as strongly as when the autumn leaves are in full regalia.

Besides being places of beauty, wetlands perform many important functions. They provide habitats for diverse species of animals and birds, many of which are endangered. They filter and purify the water that passes through them. They act like sponges to collect and hold flood waters, and they absorb wind and tidal forces. They also help maintain shoreline stability and replenish groundwater.

A wetland is an area of land that is saturated with water, permanently or seasonally, such that it takes on a distinct ecosystem. Primarily, wetlands contain aquatic plants that are adapted to its unique soil conditions -- namely hydric soil, which is anaerobic. In the presence of hydric soils, a unique ecosystem develops which differs from normal soils. Wetlands are considered the most biologically diverse of all ecosystems.

Historically, wetlands have been drained for the purpose of real estate development, or flooded to create recreational lakes. In 1993 it was estimated that half of the wetlands in the world have been drained.

Sources: Defenders of Wildlife and Wikipedia