Wetland Research

Take it from those of us who spend an inordinate amount of time in wetlands: wetlands are a beautiful thing. Not only filled with lovely flora and extremely high in biodiversity, we know they are "good for you" too. Wetlands are the "kidneys" of our land, filtering water, draining off nitrates and sequestering carbon as well.

And whether they are a native wetland, or a created wetland, studies show both are effective in providing many of the benefits and habitat requirements for many species. And while man-made wetlands are not quite on a par with native wetlands in amphibian (especially salamanders) diversity, they can provide effective water overflow management, and are well worth the investment for developers and homeowners alike.

...

Here is a recent study from Ohio State featured in Science Daily that show some of a man-made wetlands merits. That is great, as long as we first protect natural wetlands, and do not promote the idea that destroying wetlands is OK - if you just replace it.

Man made wetlands certainly work well for many plant species and insects that can colonize "new" wetlands- like this Slaty Skimmer.
...

However, the delicate balance of a Cedar Bog or the Sheldon Marshes didn't happen in a decade or two. While we have many benefits from creating "new" wetlands, remember some of the rarest species in Ohio - both flora and fauna - are only found in the ancient gatherings of water.