Areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres.Wetlands may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or bodies of marinewater deeper than six metres at low tide lying within the wetlands. (Source: RAMSAR Convention, Art 1.1 and 2,1)

Areas that are inundated by surface or ground water with frequency sufficient to support a prevalence of vegetative or aquatic life that requires saturated or seasonally saturated soil conditions for growth or reproduction. (Source: GEMET/LANDY)