Wetland Ecosystems

 
Wetlands are semi-aquatic ecosystems, linking land and water. The diverse variety of wetlands in New England -- each with its unique sense of place and beauty --  includes freshwater and salt marshes, wet meadows, fens and bogs, and red maple and Atlantic white cedar swamps. Natural wetlands are important to people and the environment. In fact, the biological productivity of wetlands is among the highest of all natural ecosystems.

Over half of the wetlands in the U.S. were destroyed between the 1600's and the 1980's.  Many of the nation's remaining 100 million acres have been damaged or degraded by human activity.   Massachusetts has adopted an official policy of "no net loss of wetlands in the short-term and a net gain in the long-term."  Implementation of this policy depends on the actions of politicians and citizens alike.  As individuals and as communities, we need to maintain the integrity of individual wetlands and of entire watersheds through preservation, proactive management, and restoration.
 

Why should wetlands be protected?  Click here to find out.
 

Below is a list of projects on the Conservation New England web site dealing with wetland ecosystems:

To find out more about how to protect or manage our wetlands explore our
extensive list of stakeholders.

The Future of Wetland Conservation

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