In the 2012 President's Budget Request, the National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) is terminated. As a result, all resources, databases, tools, and applications within this web site will be removed on January 15, 2012. For more information, please refer to the NBII Program Termination page.
Kealia East Pond in Maui, Hawaii. Image: USFWS (Public Domain)
Wetlands, the transition zones between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems,
are characteristically saturated with or covered by water, at least
periodically, and soil development and plant and animal communities are
determined by water (Cowardin et al. 1979). Natural wetland habitats include
marshes, swamps, and bogs. Anthropogenic (man-made) wetlands include taro patches,
prawn ponds, some fishponds, and other irrigated croplands. (Charles P. Stone)
In their natural condition, wetlands supply numerous ecological, economic, and cultural benefits to local communities -- including water quality protection, flood control, erosion control, fish and wildlife habitat, aquatic productivity, and unique opportunities for education and recreation.
(Text courtesy of catskillcenter.org)
The HWJV mission is to protect, restore, increase and enhance all types of wetlands, riparian habitat and associated uplands throughout the Hawaiian Islands through partnerships for the benefit of birds, other wildlife, people and the Hawaiian culture.
Learn more about
HWJV
The PCJV works to protect and restore coastal wetland ecosystems to benefit birds, fish and other wildlife in the coastal areas of Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Northern California and Hawaii.
Learn more about
PCJV
The US Fish & Wildlife Service produces geospatial information on the characteristics, extent, and status of the Nation's wetlands and deepwater habitats.
Visit the
USFWS NWI website
The NBII Program is administered by the Biological Informatics Program of the U.S. Geological Survey
