Wetlands are a type of terrain where the land is permanently or seasonally saturated with water. Swamps and marshes are types of wetlands. Insects, waterfowl, fish, amphibians, and other animals often find a home in wetlands, creating a complex ecosystem that combines land-based and aquatic life.

Wetlands help stabilize shorelines and provide a buffer against waves. They also trap pollutants and harmful gases. Human infrastructure and development often involves draining wetlands, which can upset ecological processes and release pollutants into the environment that wetlands previously kept at bay. The release of carbon, methane, and other greenhouse gases from wetlands contributes to climate change.

NASA’s data useful to the study of wetlands include wetland extent maps, soil carbon measurements, and methane emissions. Some of these products cover a specific area, while others encompass wetlands across the globe. With these data, scientists can dive deeper into important topics such as climate change, wetland ecosystems, human development, and water cycles.