[Music] wetlands are unique ecosystems that provide important ecological services to the natural world and to people A wetland is a place where water covers the land for all or part of the year The soil is hydric which means it's saturated with water It is also anorobic meaning it lacks oxygen Wetlands have plants that are adapted to grow in saturated soil The wetland we're going to explore is a marsh It has water year round and has soft stemmed plants like cattails rushes and lily pads growing in it Marshes are nutrient-rich environments with the minerals nutrients light and water needed for many plants to thrive Submerged plants like pondweed bladder wart and coonail live entirely underwater Plants like waterlies and duckweed have floating leaves Emergent plants like cattails rushes and arrowhead have their roots in the soil below the water their stems emerging out of the water and their leaves and flowers above the water Some plants live along the shoreline of marshes including shrubs like willows and dogwoods All of these plants provide food and shelter for a wide variety of animals Beneath the water of a marsh fish and aquatic insects thrive The marsh is also the perfect place for animals that spend time both in the water and on land Turtles frogs ducks and geese all find what they need to thrive in the marsh Many birds such as herand swallows and blackbirds hunt and raise their young around marshes Muskrats beaver and river otter also make their homes in the banks of the marsh Many other animals stop by for a drink of water or to find food Marshes are important for people too Their soil acts like a sponge so when there's heavy rain or snow melt the marsh can absorb the additional water preventing or reducing flooding in nearby areas They also filter the water that moves through them collecting and holding excess nutrients and pollutants The water that leaves a wetland is cleaner than the water that enters it Wetlands can also help replenish the groundwater supply by holding water and allowing it to seep into the ground rather than run off into a river ditch or drain Sometimes wetlands are seen as a problem because you can't farm build homes or construct businesses on them The wetland featured in today's video was created in 1991 to replace the one that was destroyed by the construction of the Midland Mall Because it is several miles away from the original wetland it doesn't prevent flooding in that location but it does provide food and refuge for wildlife It also provides a great place for people to connect to nature and learn more about our amazing marshes [Music] Thanks for watching For more videos and lessons be sure to click the subscribe button and be sure to check out the description for links to our website activity guides resources and more [Music] [Applause]