The vegetation provides surfaces for
the attachment of bacteria films, aids in the filtration and adsorption of waste-water constituents, transfers
oxygen into the water column and controls the growth of algae by restricting the penetration of sunlight6
Wetlands also clean the water by filtering out sedimentation, decomposing vegetative matter and converting
chemicals into useable form. The ability of wetlands to recycle nutrients makes them critical in the overall
functioning of earth.