Image: Golden-headed Cisticola by Leo, Spotted Pardalote by Jean and Fred Hort.

Wetlands are places where water meets land - and life flourishes.

They include swamps, marshes, billabongs, lagoons, mudflats and more. Wetlands can be fresh, salty or somewhere in between. Some are permanent, while others appear only seasonally after rain.

No matter their size or shape, wetlands are some of the most productive ecosystems on the planet. They filter water, store carbon, reduce flood risks, support biodiversity, and hold deep cultural and spiritual value, particularly for First Nations peoples who have cared for these landscapes for tens of thousands of years.

Wetlands provide:

• Critical habitat for birds, frogs, fish and threatened species

• Natural water filtration, improving the health of rivers and catchments

• Flood and drought protection by storing and slowing water

• Carbon storage, helping reduce the impacts of climate change

• Cultural knowledge and connection, woven into the Country they shape

Types of Wetlands in Australia

Australia’s wetlands are as varied as the landscape itself. From tropical mangroves to alpine bogs, each type of wetland plays a unique role in its local ecosystem.

🌿 Inland Wetlands

Found across river floodplains, lakes and grasslands, these wetlands may dry out during the year and flood seasonally. Examples include:

• Billabongs

• Swamps and marshes

• Floodplain wetlands

• Peatlands and bogs

🐚 Coastal Wetlands

Located where land meets the sea, these wetlands are influenced by tides and saltwater. They act as nurseries for fish and help protect coastlines. Types include:

• Mangroves

• Saltmarshes

• Estuarine wetlands

• Tidal mudflats

💧 Constructed Wetlands

These are man-made wetlands, often built to treat wastewater, manage stormwater, or restore habitat in urban and agricultural areas.