Prof. Marinka Žbogar dedicates this lecture to World Earth Day and World Biodiversity Day. When we hear the word wetland, or swamp, bog or marsh, we think of a space that has no special value. However, wetlands are an important part of our environment, they are natural water collectors, its purifiers, and above all, the habitat of rare and endangered plant and animal species. Today they are on the list of the most endangered ecosystems on Earth. You are invited!