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Wetlands

Climate Change and Wetlands

Climate change is perhaps the greatest challenge facing wetland managers. In a 2008 report prepared for the University of Oregon's Climate Leadership Initiative entitled Oregon's Biodiversity in a Changing Climate, J.J. Lawler, et al. present an excellent overview of this topic. Their report states:

Of all aquatic systems, wetlands will likely be the most susceptible to climate change. Shallow wetlands that are dependent on precipitation will be the most vulnerable to drying, warming and changes in water quality.  Intermittent and perennial streams, vernal pools, and coastal wetlands and marshes will also be particularly vulnerable to projected changes in temperature, precipitation and sea level rise.

In addition, a bibliography compiled by Kevin Erwin (2007) provides access to peer-reviewed research papers that describe the effects of climate change on wetlands around the world.