Withered leaves falling from the wetland's green plants are broken down by microorganisms in the mud and water into particles of organic material that are consumed by small creatures living in the mud. These "benthic" (bottom-dwelling) organisms then become an excellent food source for fish and birds.
溼地之所以深受水鳥青睞，與它特別的食物鏈有關，濕地綠色植物的枯枝落葉被泥中、水中的細菌分解成有機碎屑，再被泥土中的小生物吸收，這些底棲生物便成為魚或鳥兒的絕佳美食。