Wetlands

Coastal plain marsh in Michigan's southern Lower Peninsula.

Wetlands are transitional lands between aquatic and terrestrial systems where the water table is at or near the surface of the land. These areas are also characterized by the occurrence of vegetation that is adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands that often dry up part way through the summer are natural, and many species of frogs and salamanders only lay eggs in wetlands that dry up regularly (and thus have no predatory fish.) About half of Michigan’s wetlands have been drained, which has caused significant declines in many wildlife communities. In some situations wetlands can be restored by removing drain tiles or installing control structures on ditches. Wetlands also face a host of threats from invasive exotic plants and shrubs. These invasive species often shade out the native vegetation on which rare wildlife depends. If you are interested in restoring habitat for wetland wildlife on your property, see the southeast and southwest Lower Peninsula LIP pages for more information.