Wetlands overlap with all three main freshwater types being associated with rivers, lakes and groundwaters. In addition peat bogs provide unique habitats (and offer valuable water storage capacities) that will be significantly affected by potential climate change.

Wetlands and floodplains also offer important means to mitigate the problems of floods and their role (or potential in cases where flood defences have disconnected historic wetlands) should be considered [reference Tisza and Danube]. They also offer significant ecosystem benefits and functions including nutrient retention, flood retention, water storage, in addition to important biodiversity functions.

For more information see references 38 (including case studies), 39 and 41