There are lots of different types of wetlands around the world, and they occur in many different forms. Some examples of different wetlands include lakes, rivers, lagoons, mangrove forests, salt marshes, estuaries, mound springs and peat swamps. Some wetlands occur naturally in the environment, and others are artificially made to provide a certain function. It is difficult to give a single definition of what a wetland is because there are so many types, ranging from those that are permanently wet to those that are wet every ten to fifteen years! The government of Western Australia has chosen to use the definition of a wetland that was developed under the "Ramsar Convention" - an international convention on wetlands.

Wetlands are important ecosystems for a variety of reasons. They support many different types of plants and provide a home for animals such as birds, fish, frogs, tortoises and invertebrates. Many are great spots for recreation and people enjoy camping, swimming, boating, fishing, bushwalking and birdwatching around wetlands. They aid in reducing the severity of floods and can help keep water clean and healthy by filtering out pollutants.

Like many other ecosystems, wetlands are constantly under threat by human activities. Many of Australia's wetlands have been badly degraded by activities such as land clearing, farming, mining, and urban and industrial development. It is important to manage wetlands wisely to ensure that their important values are maintained in the long term. The Department of Environment and Conservation plays a valuable role in helping to conserve Western Australia's wetlands.