What is one significant effect of climate change on wetlands?

One significant effect of climate change on wetlands is altered water levels. As temperatures rise, there is an increase in evaporation rates and changes in precipitation patterns, leading to either more intense flooding or prolonged droughts. These fluctuations can drastically impact the hydrology of wetland ecosystems, which depend on stable water levels to support the diverse plant and animal species that inhabit them.

When water levels fluctuate significantly, it can disrupt the reproductive cycles of aquatic species, lead to loss of habitat, and alter the composition of plant communities. For example, some wetland plants may thrive in certain water conditions but may struggle or die off if water levels fall too low or rise too high. This alteration can also affect nutrient cycling and the overall health of the ecosystem.

In contrast, the other options refer to outcomes that do not reflect the challenges posed by climate change to wetland environments. Increased habitat area is typically not a consequence of climate change; in fact, many wetlands are threatened by loss of habitat due to climate impacts and human activity. Enhanced biodiversity tends to decrease with the stressors of climate change, as many species may not adapt quickly enough to the changing conditions. Lastly, stable ecosystems are unlikely under the pressures of climate change, which typically leads to increased instability and