Cattails are a natural part of a healthy wetland ecosystem, producing large quantities of wind-dispersed seeds, allowing for a rapid growth rate in the watershed. While in some situations they can be invasive, cattails provide beneficial ecosystem services, including habitats and food for a variety of species, as well as the reduction of pollution through bioremediation, a technique that utilizes biological organisms to break down and remove various types of contaminants. Their lateral growing roots are also good for stabilizing soil and can help minimize bank erosion on steep or windswept shorelines.