Shrub-carr is low to moderately-low vulnerable to climate change. Although shrub-carr is generally adapted to short-term water level fluctuations, high water over the long-term could convert some sites to marsh.

Submitted by dshannon on

More frequent large rain events could increase sedimentation and soil disturbance, leading to increases in non-native invasive species. Nutrient loading of both groundwater and surface water could also fuel invasives. Potential changes in precipitation patterns and groundwater infiltration could alter hydrologic regimes. Although shrub-carr is generally adapted to short-term water level fluctuations, high water over the long-term could convert some sites to the marsh. Shrub-carr ranked as relatively adaptable, with high species diversity, a broad distribution across the state, and general wide tolerance to a variety of natural disturbances. It also has the potential to expand as other communities decline and may experience a net gain in suitable habitat overall.