The vulnerability of a wetland to aquatic sediments is dependent on:

• vegetation which:
  • slows water flow and allows suspended sediments to settle out
  • helps stabilise sediments and prevent erosion and resuspension
  • binds very fine particles to stems and leaves
• water salinity—increased salinity results in sediment flocculation and settlement
• water velocity—faster flowing water results in increased resuspension of sediments
• benthos type—smaller particles (e.g. muds) resuspend more readily and stay suspended for longer than larger ones (e.g. sand)
• water residence—wetlands with shorter water residence times are less vulnerable than those with long periods of inundation (e.g. permanent lakes)
• water depth—shallow water wetlands have more wind driven resuspension than deeper water wetlands.