The study of wetland plants has been of interest to botanists for many years, but the need to identify and understand these plants has expanded dramatically since the 1970s. At that time, ecologists began to make known the vital role that wetlands play in our landscapes. The image of wetlands has shifted from that of mosquito-ridden wastelands to natural areas of critical importance. Because the field of wetland ecology has expanded, so has the study of the plants that thrive there, and their role in ecosystem dynamics. Today, many professionals are expert in the identification of wetland plants and identification courses are regularly taught throughout the
