California Supplemental (CSE) Practice Exam

What is one way that climate change affects wetland health?

1. It can create more habitat space

2. It can change annual rainfall amounts

3. It decreases pollution levels

4. It simplifies native fish species recovery

The correct answer is: It can change annual rainfall amounts

Climate change has a significant impact on wetland health, primarily through altering precipitation patterns. As temperatures rise, shifts in annual rainfall amounts can occur, leading to either increased flooding or prolonged droughts. Wetlands, which depend on a stable hydrological regime for their ecological balance, can be severely affected by these changes. If rainfall becomes irregular or lessened, wetlands may not receive the necessary water to sustain their ecosystems. Conversely, excessive rainfall can lead to flooding, disrupting the habitats of diverse plant and animal communities. The effect of climate change on rainfall patterns can also influence nutrient cycling, sedimentation processes, and overall biodiversity within these crucial ecosystems. In contrast, other options do not accurately reflect the broad challenges posed by climate change to wetland health. For instance, creating more habitat space or decreasing pollution levels is not a direct consequence of climate change and does not address the complexities of ecological disruption that can be caused by shifting climatic conditions. Additionally, the notion that climate change simplifies native fish species recovery overlooks the multifaceted interactions between water quality, habitat availability, and fish populations, which can be negatively affected by changing environmental conditions.