Potential changes to hydrology could have adverse impacts on Central Poor Fen. Higher temperatures, longer growing seasons, and corresponding increases in evapotranspiration will result in more water leaving the system. This could be exacerbated by anthropogenic demand for groundwater resources in some areas. However, projected increases in annual precipitation may offset some of these losses. If water tables drop, peat loss and tree and shrub invasion is likely, as is the risk of damaging wildfire. Invasive species are also an increasingly problematic threat. On the positive side, Central Poor Fens often lie in cold air drainages and may be partially buffered from the secondary effects of extreme storms. While species diversity is often low, most species may be at least partially tolerant of warmer temperatures provided water levels remain stable. Central Poor Fens also often occur within large peatland complexes and species may be able to shift within sites in response to changing local conditions.