Why are wetlands important refuges for rare and endangered species?

Wetlands serve as vital refuges for rare and endangered species primarily because they function as transition zones, or ecotones, between terrestrial and aquatic environments. This unique positioning allows them to support a diverse array of life, often resulting in biodiversity levels that exceed those of adjacent ecosystems.1

By providing essential food and habitat for a wide variety of plants, animals, and other organisms, wetlands act as critical sanctuaries for species that may struggle to survive elsewhere. Their role as productive ecosystems—often described as the "kidneys of the landscape"—enables them to sustain complex food webs. Because wetlands are frequently threatened by human activities such as drainage, pollution, and development, prioritizing their conservation and restoration is an ethical imperative to ensure the continued survival of the rare species that depend on these specialized environments.123