Read each paragraph and mark the text to show the main idea and the supporting facts

and
ideas. Then fill in the information below.

Wetlands

Wetlands are areas of land that are covered by water all or part of the year. Throughout history, people
have considered wetlands to be land that was wasted and could be put to better use. For this reason,
from the time of the Romans, wetlands have been drained and filled so that the land could be used for
human activity. Wetlands have been converted into farmland, city neighborhoods, industrial facilities, or
garbage dumps. However, in recent years, scientists, environmentalists, and even politicians have begun
to realize that wetlands are a valuable part of the environment, as well as a valuable resource for
humans.

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From a biological point of view, wetlands are not wastelands at all, but are among the most productive
ecosystems in the world. They contain an immense variety of animal and plant species, which have
evolved over millions of years and which depend on wetland ecosystems for their survival. The life
cycles of all these species depend on the particular habitat of the wetlands, with its rich mixture of
water and organic material from the breakdown of plants in water. The enriched material—known as
detritus—feeds many small animals living in the water, such as aquatic insects, shell fish, and small fish.
These small creatures, in turn, attract larger predatory animals that feed on them, including fish,
reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals.

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In recent years, city planners and politicians are beginning to realize that wetlands are valuable for
another reason as well. In 2006, 13.3 inches (about 34 cm) of rain fell on the city of Newburyport in
northeastern Massachusetts. In the neighboring city of Haverhill, only about 10 inches of rain fell.
However, Haverhill suffered millions of dollars worth of damage from flooding, while Newburyport
suffered almost no serious damage. Why such a difference? Both cities are built along the Merrimack
River, but in Haverhill the area all along the river has been developed with housing, roads, and
commercial buildings. In Newburyport, however, the area along the river has been left in its original
state—marshland (wetlands). These wetlands gave the river waters space to spread out when there was
a sudden increase in volume due to the rain. The wetland plants and soil also acted like a giant sponge
to absorb water. In Haverhill, on the other hand, the water could not spread out, so it rose higher and
higher, until it overflowed the banks and flooded areas of the city.

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