Wetlands, a vital part of North Carolina’s natural landscape, are gradually being destroyed for use as farmland, housing developments, and commercial and industrial properties.  Wetlands maintain water balances in the estuaries.  They also provide organic matter to support coastal water food chains.  They buffer shorelines from erosion, and they have a mediating effect on pollution coming downstream from various sources.

Guide developed by Barry Munson (updated 5/2006)