This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

February 2 is World Wetlands Day, an annual international celebration of the importance of wetlands and efforts to conserve them. Wetlands are a valuable part of the environment. They create habitats for many animals, and they filter pollutants such as nutrients. That’s important because extra nutrients can fuel an overgrowth of algae, which deprives waterways of oxygen and can harm fish and other wildlife. Unfortunately, many wetlands may be threatened by rising sea levels and coastal development. University of Delaware researchers are analyzing plants that can withstand these challenges. Such plants would be ideal for helping restore existing wetlands or create new ones. This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.