Non-forested wetland | Adaptation Workbook

Wetland is a natural community group that broadly characterizes several distinct natural communities. Non-forested wetlands broadly includes: Alder Thicket, Bog Relict, Boreal Rich Fen, Calcareous Fen, Central Poor Fen, Coastal Plain Marsh, Emergent Marsh, Ephemeral Pond, Moist Sandy Meadow, Muskeg, Northern Sedge Meadow, Open Bog, Pattered Peatland, Poor Fen, Shore Fen, Shrub-Carr, Southern Sedge Meadow. Some wetlands like sedge meadows and Shrub-carr are tolerant of a wide variety of water levels, while Emergent Marsh already thrives in high nutrient environments. In addition, sites higher in the watershed may experience fewer effects of extreme storms, while those that contain sponge-like Sphagnum peat soils, such as Open Bog and Central Poor Fen, may have a built-in buffer against modest hydrologic changes. Highly acidic soil of peatland communities also tends to be somewhat resistant to invasive species.

Climate Impact Statements

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.

Non-native invasive plants may increase in productivity and may invade into new wetland areas.

Non-forested wetland plants at the southern edge of their range may be vulnerable and sensitive to warming, changing hydrology, and increased runoff.

Alder Thicket is low to moderately-low vulnerable to climate change. Higher water levels over the long-term could convert some sites to marsh. Alder has the potential to expand as other communities decline.

Bog Relict is moderately to mod.-high vulnerable to climate change. Changing hydrologic regimes could alter this system though Sphagnum and floating mats may buffer future changes. Sites may transition to native shrub-carr or marsh if tamarack is lost.

Boreal Rich Fen is highly vulnerable to climate change. Highly specific hydro-geologic requirements make it nearly impossible for Boreal Rich Fens to shift within larger peatland complexes or in the larger landscape.

Calcareous Fen is highly vulnerable to climate change. Many sites are small and isolated with minimal opportunities for species to shift or migrate, giving fens high inherent vulnerability.

Central Poor Fen is highly vulnerable to climate change due to changes in hydrology, higher temperatures, longer growing seasons and related impacts to vegetation such as peat loss, tree and shrub invasion.

Coastal Plain Marsh is highly vulnerable to climate change due to altered hydrology that lowers water levels and allows tree and shrub invasion.

Emergent Marsh is highly vulnerable to climate change due to more frequent and intense storms that exacerbate sedimentation and nutrient enrichment and possible shift to non-native invasives such as narrow-leaved cat-tails.

Ephemeral Ponds are moderately to highly vulnerable to climate change related to higher evapotranspiration rates and longer dry spells that may dry ponds earlier and adversely impact species that require inundation for larval development.