Conservationist and director of Wild New Forest, Professor Russell Wynn, held a lecture on Tuesday evening on the impacts of climate change on coastal wildlife in the New Forest.
The event was the first in a series of talks about climate change and the New Forest held at Fort Climate Centre on the grounds of The Countryside Education Trust on Beaulieu Road. The centre was opened by the Duchess of Edinburgh in March last year.
Professor Wynn discussed how climate change already has and will continue to affect many aspects of wildlife within the national park. He pointed out that since records began in 1884, all of the UK’s warmest years have occurred since 2002.
He spoke about the importance of preserving what he described as “one of the jewels in the crown of biodiversity in Europe”.
During the talk, Professor Wynn spoke about how milder winters mean that fungi diseases effecting trees aren’t being sufficiently killed off by frost. Less frequent frosts also allow deer ticks to thrive year-round which if left undetected in humans can cause Lyme disease.
The wetter winter months are also proving difficult for birdlife, with species like wood warbler becoming nearly extinct in the New Forest as they go in search of more favourable conditions elsewhere.
Professor Wynn discussed how the increasing occurrence of summer draughts cause lasting damage to beech woodlands, which are one of the national park’s most abundant tree species. He likened this damage to an aggressive cancer.
Professor Wynn reported an increasing number of chick deaths in the forest, which he linked to factors including starvation due to draught and toxins found in water from dog’s flea treatments, although he pointed out more studies are required to confirm this.
During the lecture, Professor Wynn suggested several ways which we can help sustain our local wildlife.
Mowing our lawns less frequently will allow the deep thatch at the base of the grass to thrive which creates the ideal habitat for insects, meaning more food for birds. Longer grass also has the benefit of surviving for longer in periods of draught.
He suggested we install wildlife ponds in our gardens, which can be achieved by digging a small hole and lining with butyl plastic and filling with rainwater. Wildlife ponds can look a bit messy in their first year but are best left untouched, only topping up with rainwater when necessary, and soon create a beautiful oasis for wildlife.
Professor Wynn highlighted the importance of sticking to designated paths when in the forest and keeping dogs on a lead in areas known for breeding birds to keep habitat disruption to a minimum.
Professor Wynn said these small changes “make a huge difference to biodiversity and wildlife will thank you for it”.
The next talk, 'Archaeology and Coastal Change in the Western Solent', will be held on May 1st by Garry Momber, director of the Maritime Archaeology Trust.
Tickets start from £3 and are available online at www.cet.org.uk
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