The study was undertaken to identify and characterize wetland with a view to
exploring them for productive activities in Ede region, Southwestern Nigeria. Data for
the study was collected from primary and secondary sources. Global Positioning
System (GPS) which equally served as a primary source of data was utilized for
ground truthing and also to obtain coordinates of wetlands. Topographic map (1962)
served as secondary data was digitized and a point map of wetlands created. Plants
samples were collected and taken to the herbarium for identification. The wetlands in
Ede Region generally, were characterized by standing water or shallow inundations or
saturation at near the surface, hydromorphic soils and the presence of hydrophytes as
the dominant plant species which was in concordance with The Committee on
Characterization of Wetlands 1995. Therefore, based on these characteristics, three
types of wetlands were identified: riverine, lacustrine and palustrine system. They
could offer opportunities for water supply, fish farming, cattle ranching throughout
the year, cultivation of maize three times in a year, yam twice a year and rice three
times in a year whose maximal exploitation requires the incorporation of the
principles of sustainable development.