Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20Drought may cause wetlands to dry up and decrease water quality Wetlands are a vital part of a functioning ecosystem as they play an important role in maintaining local water quality. Wetlands are also capable of slowing the effects of climate change by capturing and storing carbon. A functioning wetland is capable of storing large amounts of water which is then filtered and slowly released into the surrounding watershed. When wetlands are removed or dry due to the effects of climate change, storm water runs directly into the watershed, increasing the chances of flooding and decreasing water quality. In the Great Lakes Basin, many wetlands are projected to be vulnerable to potential drying or shrinkage due to changes in temperature and precipitation, particularly wetlands in southern Ontario and the north-east shores of Lake Superior.14 Warmer temperatures help insect pests and disease to overwinter Insect pests and disease can have a significant impact on shorelines, and a changing climate may affect what kind of pests are seen in Ontario. Many insects and diseases are controlled by winter temperatures, with colder temperatures reducing their populations. As winters get warmer with climate change, the number of these pests and diseases that survive the winter may increase, leading to greater outbreaks and infestations. 13