How do wetlands improve water quality?

Wetlands play a crucial role in improving water quality primarily through their ability to filter pollutants and sediments from water. This process occurs as water flows through wetland ecosystems, which are rich in vegetation and microbial life. The plants and microorganisms in wetlands absorb, assimilate, or break down various pollutants, such as heavy metals, nutrients (like nitrogen and phosphorus), and other harmful substances.

The dense root systems of wetland plants create an environment that slows down water flow, allowing more time for these filtering processes to occur. Additionally, sediments carried in the water settle out in the wetland due to reduced water velocity, further purifying the water as it passes through. This natural filtration system helps to reduce the load of contaminants entering larger water bodies, ultimately enhancing overall water quality and supporting biodiversity.

By maintaining this filtering capability, wetlands serve a vital function in both protecting aquatic ecosystems and supplying cleaner water for human use.