Climate change may alter the hydrology in Forested Rich Peatlands across northern Minnesota.

Forested Rich Peatlands function in a relatively narrow window of water table conditions and can respond in a matter of years to water table changes. Higher water levels could result in a transition to open peatland systems, but lower water levels could allow other forest types to invade as peat layers dry and decompose. The effects of roads, beaver dams, drainage ditches, or other watershed modifications may be intensified by climate change. Forested Rich Peatlands in large complexes fed through groundwater may be somewhat buffered from seasonal or short-term moisture deficits.