Wetland Basics in the Twenty-First Century

Abstract

Abstract Our common experience tells us that [wetlands identification] is no easy task: the transition from water to solid ground is not necessarily or even typically an abrupt one. Rather, between open waters and dry land may lie shallows, marshes, mudflats, swamps, bogs—in short, a huge array of areas that are not wholly aquatic but nevertheless fall far short of being dry land. Where on this continuum to find the limit of “waters” is far from obvious. —UNITED STATES V. RIVERSIDE BAYVIEW HOMES, INC., 474 U.S. 121 (1985).