1. A method for execution by a distributed storage (DS) client module that includes a processor, the method comprises: receiving a write request to store a first data object; identifying a set of storage units associated with the first data object; determining an availability level of the identified set of storage units; determining to modify dispersal parameters associated with the set of storage units based on the availability level of the set of storage units; determining modified dispersal parameters based on current dispersal parameters and the availability level of the set of storage units; generating a first plurality of sets of encoded data slices by performing an encoding function on the first data object using the modified dispersal parameters; sending the plurality of sets of encoded data slices to the identified set of storage units; recovering a second data object stored in the identified set of storage units by utilizing the current dispersal parameters; generating a second plurality of sets of encoded data slices by performing an encoding function on the second data object using the modified dispersal parameters; and sending the second plurality of sets of encoded data slices to the identified set of storage units.