The effects of long-term climatic changes on Zostera beds are not easy to predict. Hot summers can stress Zostera and may increase its vulnerability to infection by wasting disease, so this is one possible consequence of climatic warming. It has been predicted that as a result of global warming, sea levels will rise and the frequency and severity of storms may increase (Houghton et al., 1990). If so, this could also cause significant degradation of Zostera beds.

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