Wetlands are areas of land that are covered with water during some part of the year and are classified based on their vegetation. There are three main types of wetlands: swamps which are dominated by trees and shrubs; marshes which lack trees and shrubs and form near rivers and lakes; and bogs which receive water only from rain and have developed unique ways for plants to access nutrients, such as carnivorous plants. Wetlands are important habitats for many animals and provide valuable functions like absorbing flood waters, trapping sediments, and removing nutrients from waterways.