Wetlands are an important part of the ecosystem as they provide a habitat for several different aquatic animals and terrestrial plants. They can also help to control floods and improve the water in the area.

Wetlands are considered by the New Jerseys DEP as an area where the water table is at near or above the soil surface for significant periods if time throughout the year. With the ground being always or almost always saturated, the only types of plants that will grown in these designated areas are terrestrial plants that can survive with more water then the average plant.

There are 58.15 acres of wetlands In Madison, While this is only a small percentage of Madison’s total acreage of 2,768 acres, this is an important area to protect. Because of it being so small the town is relying on a smaller area to help to maintain biodiversity and to get the long lasting benefits from the wetlands.

Understanding the location of Madison’s wetlands can help to develop a better understanding when it comes to future developments in the town. With the knowledge of were this site is future development can be moved away from this area to future protect the wetland. It also helps to know were they are when it comes to development of the land so that if something was to be built in that area the people living these know that they are living in an area that is more likely to flood.

The Wetlands of New Jersey is classified by the NJDEP Bureau of GIS and is managed by the NJDEPBGIS data, base on 2007 color infrared (CIR) imagery and delineating and coding areas of change. Work for this data set was done by Aerial Information Systems, Inc., Redlands, CA, under direction of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) The data set provided information for city planners and other planners looking to develop land. It also provides information about how the land is changing and if the wetland areas are growing into populated areas or if the size of them is decreasing.