Palustrine wetlands are non-tidal wetlands associated with woody, shrubby and emergent vegetation. Examples of palustrine wetlands are inland marshes, bogs, and fens.

Lacustrine wetlands are associated with larger bodies of water such as lakes and reservoirs. They are found along the margins where the water depth is less than 2m deep.

Riverine wetlands form along channels such as streams and rivers. While some may look like depressional wetlands in a basin, they depend on regular riverine flooding. They can form on flood plains, terraces, and along channel beds.

Estuarine wetlands form where fresh water can connect with the sea but are still partially enclosed by land. A regular tidal flooding occurs, but the intensity and frequency can differ. At any point, the water can be fresh or saline depending on the mixture of water. Some examples are salt marshes and tidal flats.

Marine wetlands are tidal wetlands that are exposed to the open ocean. They also have high saline concentrations greater than 30ppt with minimal inputs from freshwater sources.

Depressional wetlands is a large catagory of wetlands that form in a topographical basin or hollow that are too small to consider as a lake or reservior. Vernal pools and ponds are examples of depressional wetlands.