Climate change poses a growing threat to Britain's heritage. From ancient castles to gardens steeped in history, British heritage has resisted wars and the vagaries of time for centuries, but today it faces a new threat.
Mansion flooded for first time in 300 years in UK
Many mature trees were downed by the storms. Floods have damaged buildings and gardens in England and Wales. In January 2024, Avebury Manor & Garden was flooded for the first time in 300 years. It is a manor in the county of Wiltshire. It belongs to the National Trust.
Storm Henk followed by storms Isha and Jocelyn damaged many historic properties in England. Moreover, France was also swept away by these three storms in 2024.
The main problem is that the majority of National Trust for Places of Historic Interest properties are not designed to withstand extreme weather conditions.
Historic buildings suffer from weather conditions
These buildings generally have antique gutters and drain pipes. They are more likely to overflow in the event of heavy rain. This damages both the exterior and interior of historic buildings.
In addition, the fauna and flora which also belong to British heritage suffer from these weather conditions. In 2024, the climate was particularly hot and humid. It has led to what experts call a “homogenization” of the seasons. That is to say, the climate blurs the distinctions between the seasons.
This homogenization of seasons is problematic for predators and many species of insects which depend on the seasons.
Several insect species have declined this year in the UK
“Our unpredictable weather is leading to confusion for our wildlife and the gradual disappearance of what were once 'predictable' seasons,” says Keith Jones, climate change advisor at the National Trust, as reported by the BBC.
For example, the celestial blue Azure butterfly (Polyommatus bellargus) is becoming increasingly rare. Experts have recorded 333 individuals in an area west of Dorset in 2024 compared to 1,459 in the same area in 2023.
Other species of butterflies, wasps and bees are also seeing population declines in the UK.
There are encouraging signs for British flora and fauna
However, the National Trust report is not entirely negative. There are even positives. Indeed, rare dragonflies have been seen in peat bogs. This is particularly the case of the tawny dragonfly (Libellula fulva) which was seen at Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire.
Dragonflies took advantage of the rainy weather in 2024 after a dry period for two consecutive years. The young trees also appreciated the heavy rainfall. They need moisture to develop strong roots.
Older trees were invigorated by wet and rainy weather after surviving too dry weather. In gardens, slugs and snails thrived on this humidity.
A new colony of gray seals established in the east of England
On the Suffolk coast in the east of England, rangers have some good news this year. They confirmed the presence of the county's first colony of gray seals (Halichoerus grypus).
These seals have made their home on the isolated beach of Orford Ness. Experts suggest that the seals have established a colony there because this area is little disturbed. Additionally, the seal colonies at Blakeney and Horsey Gap are already overpopulated.
Source: BBC
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