Marshes provide a number of important functions, including:
* Filtering water and removing pollutants
* Providing habitat for fish, birds, and other wildlife
* Preventing erosion
* Storing carbon dioxide
Marsh ecosystems are threatened by a number of human activities, including:
* Drainage for agriculture or development
* Pollution from fertilizers and pesticides
* Invasive species
The loss of marsh ecosystems can have a negative impact on water quality, wildlife habitat, and climate change.