These forests are also prevalent across the region on a wide variety of soils and landforms. Not all areas are expected to be affected equally, and in general, areas that are north-facing, at higher elevations, or are farther north in the region are expected to undergo less change and may continue to support northern hardwoods in the future. In these areas, it is also possible that sites that are currently too wet or cold to support northern hardwoods may become suitable over time and be colonized by these species. At the same time, northern hardwood forests that are farther south may have a reduced capacity to cope with future conditions, particularly where past land use, land development, fragmentation, invasive species, or other factors have already impaired the system.