Abstract
Excerpt: Wetlands are shallow to intermittently flooded ecosystems that are more commonly known by such terms as swamps, bogs, marshes, and sedge meadows. They are revered as important parts of the natural landscape because of their functions in cleaning and retaining water naturally, preventing floods, and providing a habitat and food source for a wide variety of plant and animal species. It is estimated that more than half of the original wetlands in the world have been lost to drainage projects and human development projects. The state where our Wetlands Invitational was held, Ohio, has lost about 90% of its original wetlands. Thus, both wetland protection and the ability to create and restore wetlands and their supporting aquatic environments are vital areas for continued study.