Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season. They can be saltwater, freshwater, or brackish. The most common categories of wetland are marsh, swamp, and peat bog. Soft-terrain is any ground condition that will not support traditional heavy equipment.
Wetland and soft-terrain are are inaccessible to conventional heavy equipment. Water is too shallow or obstructed for water-based, and too soft for conventional heavy equipment. This unique challenge requires equipment of a different design.
Conventional equipment is designed to work either in deep water in the case of boats, or barges, or on firm ground for conventional construction equipment. Wetlands and soft terrain is inaccessible to both types of equipment.