Ocean ecosystems may also be affected. In addition to higher sea levels, climate change could reduce sea-ice cover and alter ocean circulation patterns, the vertical mixing of waters, and wave patterns. This could have an impact on biological productivity, the availability of nutrients, and the ecological structure and functions of marine ecosystems. Finally, any changes in plankton activity could affect the oceans' ability to absorb and store carbon. Various natural forces will influence the impact that higher sea levels will have.
Coastal areas are dynamic systems.
For example, freshwater supplies in coastal zones will be more or less vulnerable depending on changes in freshwater inflows and the size of the freshwater body. The survival of salt marshes and mangrove forests will depend in part on whether the rate of sedimentation is greater than or less than the rate of local sea-level rise. Human activities will also play a role. Roads, buildings, and other infrastructure could limit or affect the natural response of coastal ecosystems to sea-level rise. Pollution, sediment deposits, and land development will influence how coastal waters respond to, and compensate for, climate change impacts.