FAQ
Do you have a question about the Chesapeake Bay? Explore our list of frequently asked questions to learn more about the Bay and its watershed, habitats and wildlife. You can browse the FAQ by category, or explore the answers to some of our most common questions below.
If you have a question that hasn’t been answered in our FAQ, ask us by filling out the form below.
Wetlands
What is a wetland?
Wetlands are places where naturally occurring water saturates the soil and the plants that grow there for at least some period of time during the year. Wetland soils are considered hydric, which means they are periodically saturated or flooded with water. Wetland plants are called hydrophytes, and are adapted for life in wet soil.
How do wetlands benefit the Chesapeake Bay?
Wetlands work like natural filters that slow the movement of water over land and trap nutrients, sediment and other pollutants before they can enter rivers, streams and the Chesapeake Bay. Wetlands also ease flood and storm damages, provide habitat to plants, fish, frogs, birds and other animals, and offer recreational opportunities like fishing, hunting and bird-watching.
What threats do wetlands face?
Development is the biggest threat to wetlands in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, where thousands of acres of wetlands have already been lost to agricultural, commercial and residential areas. Wetlands are also threatened by pollution, rising sea levels and invasive species.
Ask a question
Can't find your question in our FAQ? Ask us by filling out the form below. We'll do our best to answer your question in a timely manner. We may even add it to our FAQ!