ABSTRACT
Around the world, wetland area has diminished due to ever-increasing human pressures. Our increased understanding and appreciation of wetland functions and values have spurred legislation to protect wetlands as well as popular interest in wetland preservation. Today, in an effort to stem the rate of wetland loss, wetlands are being restored or new wetlands are being created in many parts of the world. In the U.S., although wetlands continue to be lost to development, agriculture, and other landscape alterations, many of these losses are compensated by the construction of new wetlands. In addition, hundreds of wetlands have been built to treat wastewater of a variety of types. These treatment wetlands are an application of the natural water-cleansing functions of wetlands.
