Anthropogenic pressures have caused the decline and alteration of wetland ecosystems worldwide. Much of the research on wetlands has been conducted on how changes in climate and water management are affecting wetland systems of the United States. Reductions in water availability have limited wetland productivity and altered species composition in many freshwater regions. While in coastal regions alterations in sediment deposition have changed the ability of wetlands to increase their elevations to mitigate sea level rise. Understanding the role climate change and water management has on structure and function of these wetlands is key for our ability to maintain and manage these important ecosystems. The objective of this oral session is to bring together a series of researchers that focus their studies on understanding the structure and function of wetland ecosystems with an emphasis on ecosystem productivity, carbon dynamics, vegetation changes and their resilience to climate and water-management change. The session will disseminate findings of studies being conducted across the United States in an attempt to better understand how human activities are altering the structure and function of wetland ecosystems. The proposed session will bring together researchers that focus on both freshwater and saltwater ecosystems of the United States. The talks will be a mix of studies focusing on various aspects of productivity including: water column productivity, below ground carbon storage, ecosystem physiological changes to mention a few.