Wetlands are among the ecosystems which will be most affected by even small changes in climate and resulting changes in hydrologic regimes such as sea level rise and decreased surface and ground water levels in the West. Many wetlands will be destroyed; rare and endangered plants and animals will be threatened in others. “Blue carbon” is the type of carbon that is stored in wetlands and has the potential to be released into the atmosphere if the wetland is converted or damaged or lost.