There are many kinds of wetlands, including: swamps, bogs, prairie potholes, flood plains, and fens. The kind I will be focusing on are Riparian marshes. All wetlands are there for animals benefit, but that's not the main reason they are there. They are there to help regulate the water to a river, lake, or land area. All wetlands do this. The main kind of wetland that does this is called a Riparian marsh. Riparian marshes are wetlands that occur along rivers. They absorb excess water when water levels are too high and they release water when they are too low. These balanced forces help prevent floods and droughts.