Biodiversity
As climate changes, so will the landscapes, habitats and species that are so familiar to us.
Some species will respond to changes in climate by trying to disperse into areas with a more suitable climate. While some species may find new "climate space", for other barriers, such as human infrastructure, fragmented habitats or different geology may prevent movement. In South East England, characteristic beech woodlands could disappear by the 2050s
Lymington Keyhaven local nature reserve. English Nature; 750 year old Yew. Peter Wakely/ English Nature
Sea level rise and increased storminess are also leading to rates and degrees of change to our coastal landscape and wildlife, which we believe are unknown historically. We may lose 75% of our salt marsh by 2100.
Given the amount of investment in protected areas and other conservation strategies, more attention is needed to incorporating climate change into our decisions. There must be new ways for planning how we use and manage our land and coast to allow wildlife to adapt to climate change.
