A long hot summer: effects of climate change on our reserves

By the Reserves Team

This summer, England experienced the driest July since 1935. The hot and dry weather brought about by climate change left nature under pressure. Habitats across the county were left parched with wildlife suffering from overheating and a severe lack of water.

This summer, water levels in chalk streams and ponds were exceptionally low, with water temperatures much higher than they should be, adversely impacting food sources for species such as otters, water voles and kingfisher.

We witnessed ponds drying up at our nature reserves, including a large pond at Conigre Mead in Melksham and tiered ponds at Kings Farm Wood. There were noticeably fewer dragonflies, amphibians and other insects, which will affect their breeding potential for next year.

Some plants had also matured and fruited early, causing an ‘early autumn’ and reducing some food sources that mammals and birds rely on to prepare them for winter.

Photo: Coombe Bissett Down, Louise Hartgill

Sadly, moles were being found dead from overheating or starvation, having been forced to the surface from lack of food, as centipedes and beetles were driven deeper into the earth to avoid the heat.

There were also reports of wildfires breaking out across the country this summer. In August, the remnants of a fire were discovered close to an ancient oak tree just 50m from the edge of our own Green Lane Wood nature reserve in Trowbridge. Even as late as October, another small fire had to be put out at Hagbourne Copse nature reserve in Swindon, as dry leaves provided fuel for flames to spread.

Photo: Burnt Grass near Green Lane Wood, WWT

Whilst we’ve seen some rainfall since the summer, this follows months of arid conditions, and has not been enough to fully replenish reservoirs, aquifers, ponds, rivers and streams. The impact of the extended period of low rainfall and hot weather this year continues to affect habitats and wildlife.

At Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, we are considering the impacts that hotter, drier weather and other climatic changes are going to bring. After assessing the risks, we will determine what actions we need to take to adapt our reserves and buildings, alongside ongoing work to limit our carbon emissions. Read The Wildlife Trust’s first publication on the topic, called 'Changing Nature: A climate adaptation report': www.wildlifetrusts.org/about-us/combatting-climate-and-nature-emergency.

What you can do to help:

- Recycle and reduce water use at home, e.g. water plants with rainwater and take shorter showers. Find out more at: www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/ how-conserve-water

- Do not drop used cigarettes or use singleuse/portable BBQs on reserve grounds or anywhere there’s a high risk of fire.