Wetlands

This polygon feature class denotes wetland areas within the city of Newport News, Virginia. Wetlands are areas where water is present at or near the surface of the soil during at least part of the year. Wetlands provide habitat for many species of plants and animals that are adapted to living in wet habitats. Wetlands form characteristic soils, absorb pollutants and excess nutrients from aquatic systems, help buffer the effects of high flows, and recharge groundwater. Data on the distribution and type of wetland play an important role in land use planning and several federal and state laws require that wetlands be considered during the planning process. This data is updated on an as needed basis.本多边形要素类（polygon feature class）指代美国弗吉尼亚州纽波特纽斯市范围内的湿地区域。湿地是指一年中至少有一段时间内，土壤表面或近地表存在水体的区域。湿地为诸多适应湿地生境的动植物物种提供栖息地；湿地可形成特有的土壤类型，能够吸收水生系统中的污染物与过剩营养物质，有助于缓冲高流量的影响，并补给地下水。湿地的分布与类型数据在土地利用规划中具有重要意义，多项联邦及州级法律法规均要求在规划过程中对湿地予以考量。本数据集将根据实际需求适时更新。