Wetlands are dependent on hydrology. More frequent and intense storms may increase harmful inputs, while seasonal precipitation may become more variable affecting surface and groundwater-fed communities in unpredictable ways.
Altered hydrology is the greatest anticipated impact on non-forested wetlands due to climate change. The likelihood of more extreme precipitation events increases the risk of erosion and sedimentation as well as nutrient runoff, which can fuel the transportation and growth of non-native invasive plants and weedy native species. The impact of these events is likely to be greatest lower in the watershed, where floodwaters collect for a longer period of time.