Climate change has the potential to substantially alter the hydrologic regimes in lowland and riparian systems. These hardwood forests are adapted to annual and seasonal water table fluctuations; however, more intense and variable precipitation events may present risks to this system through excessive flooding, inundation, streambank erosion, or prolonged droughts between heavy precipitation events. Extended droughts could cause significant damage to shallow-rooted species, but increased winter and spring precipitation may buffer summer droughts in low-lying areas on the landscape. Groundwater-fed systems may be less sensitive where cooler, wetter soil conditions can be maintained over time. There is substantial uncertainty regarding future precipitation patterns, and impacts may be greater in areas that are subject to changes in water level, such as vernal pools, floodplain systems, and wetlands.