Response: helping species to move
Climate change means that some areas will
alter so much that they will no longer be suitable for some
species. These species will die or move elsewhere. But moving is
not easy if there are fewer suitable places to go or if they are
far apart.
CCW believes that a three-pronged approach to creating a more
resilient landscape. This involves:
- developing habitat connectivity
- landscape permeability
- adaptive site management
Developing habitat connectivity
It's hard for species to occupy new areas if habitats are
fragmented and isolated, as they so often are, particularly in the
lowlands. CCW aims to develop more links between habitats by
restoring some that have declined and creating new areas so that
it’s easier for species to migrate. For example, the Meirionnydd
Woodlands are being restored.
Landscape Permeability
Other schemes, such as the agriculture and environment scheme,
Tir Gofal, through preserving wildlife habitats on
agricultural land help species to move across agricultural land
between suitable habitats.
Adaptive site management
Within SSSIs and other designated wildlife sites, the emphasis
today is on protecting the habitats and species for which the site
is considered special. With a changing climate, however,
management plans will need to focus on underlying environmental
conditions, such as hydrology. For example, managers of
wetland sites will need to develop further their measures to
combat increased dryness in summer.