D4RUNOFF NBS Library: https://d4runoff.eu/resources/

Wetlands are systems that utilize the natural processes involving wetland vegetation, soils and their associated microbial assemblages to assist in treating wastewater and to provide other supplementary functions. In urban regions, wetlands can help offset the negative anthropogenic effects on the environment, sequester carbon, and help cities adapt to climate change. They can also help reduce organic, inorganic, and excess nutrient contaminants in surface and groundwater, municipal wastewater, industrial wastewater, domestic sewage, and other polluting sources. In arid climates and other areas with water shortages, wetlands can also provide great value by cleaning and allowing the reuse of water, recharging the aquifers, and directly contributing to the conservation of natural resources. Wetlands also offer scenic, recreational, educational, psychological, and economic value to the communities and a habitat for a great variety of species. Free water surface (FWS) constructed wetlands closely resemble natural wetlands in appearance and function, with a combination of open-water areas, emergent vegetation, varying water depths and other typical wetland features Such free surface water treatment wetlands mimic the hydrologic regime of natural wetlands.