Wetland Resources: Massachusetts

Wetlands cover about 11 percent of Massachusetts and are an important component of the state's water resources. Wetlands are valued and protected by the state for the environmental and economic benefits they provide, such as flood control, mitigation of storm damage, water-quality improvement, maintenance of ground-water supplies, wildlife habitat, and spawning and nursery habitat for many of the estuarine and marine fish and shellfish that support the state's sport-fishing and seafood industries.