Today on Marine Science Minute with Florida Sea Grant: World Wetlands Day  

On February 2nd, we celebrate World Wetlands Day to raise awareness about the critical role of wetlands for people and the planet. Wetlands are areas frequently covered in water and support various plants and animals.  

Florida contains nearly a 1/5 of the wetlands in the whole United States,. Yet these ecosystems are threatened by development and degradation, with half of the wetlands in the state already lost.  

Hugging Florida’s shores, mangroves and marshes provide a home to some amazing animals, a nursery for fisheries, and protection of our coastline. Our inland swamps and freshwater marshes serve as pollution filters, support wildlife and waterfowl, and recharge our aquifers.  

For information about this and other coastal topics, contact your county extension office or visit Florida Sea Grant at flseagrant.org.