Biological Production - Tremendous primary productivity (or the sustained yield of organic material, mostly vegetation) is a characteristic of wetlands. As a whole, they out-produce almost all other environments, often many times over. Wetlands cover only 6.4% of the earth's surface, yet they account for 24% of total global productivity.

Habitat - Biological productivity attracts life, namely, the many plants and animals that utilize wetlands for food, shelter, spawning, nesting, or predatory opportunities. 80% of all breeding bird populations in the United States, along with more than half of the protected migratory bird species, rely on wetlands at some point in their life cycle. 95% of all U.S. commercial fish and shellfish species depends on wetlands to some extent.

Physical/Hydrological Functions

Chemical Functions

Biological Functions

Socioeconomic Functions/Benefits