Where land slopes gently into the water, conditions gradually change from being completely dry to completely wet. This is where wetlands occur. This could be alongside a pond, lake or even a slow-moving river. Wetlands are therefore the 'in between' bits, or transition areas, between open water and completely dry land.

Wetlands are a type of still, freshwater habitat, with an amazing variety of 'mini' habitats contained within them. These 'mini' habitats (or microhabitats as they are more properly known) are different from each other in terms of how deep the water is and what kinds of plants are growing there as a result.