"Nature is giving us a warning and we have to respond", says wildlife expert
Local species face an uncertain future due to changing climate conditions
Wildlife experts have warned that increasingly hot, dry summers could have a lasting impact on local species and habitats.
The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire (BCN) said wildlife can usually recover from individual heatwaves or harsh winters, but repeated extreme weather events driven by climate change could leave some species unable to bounce back.
Nik Shelton, from Wildlife BCN said recent wildfires and prolonged dry conditions are an indictor of what's to come in the future.
"Wildlife can cope with a very hot summer or a very cold winter and bounce back, but if we start to see this pattern again and again, species won't have that opportunity to recover," He said.
The warning comes as the UK experiences one of its driest summers in recent years, with drought conditions and wildfire incidents affecting parts of the country.
Species already feeling the effects
The trust said the regions insects and wildflowers appeared particularly vulnerable to changing climate conditions.
While some species can recover from a single extreme event, he said repeated heatwaves could cause certain populations to decline year after year.
Shelton said numerous insect species have already struggled following previous periods of extreme heat, including the swollen-thighed flower beetle, whose numbers have yet to recover from the record temperatures experienced in 2022.
‘’A lot of insects have been really affected’’
Butterfly populations have also been affected, while some orchids and other wildflowers have suffered during this year's hot, dry conditions.
"Insects are already declining because of habitat loss," Shelton said.
"If we have these really hot summers, wildflowers don't get the chance to bloom in the same way and for as long, which means there is less food available for pollinators."
Changing wildlife
The trust said climate change is already beginning to alter the region's wildlife, with some species struggling while others expand their range.
Insects, butterflies and wildflowers are among the species causing the greatest concern, particularly as repeated heatwaves and drought place additional pressure on habitats.
Shelton said warmer conditions were also changing the types of bird species seen in the region.
At Summer Leys Nature Reserve in Northamptonshire, birds such as the great white egret are becoming increasingly common, while sightings of glossy ibis have also become more frequent.
However, the wildlife expert said the arrival of new species should not distract from the losses that could occur elsewhere.
"The mix of wildlife we have will change," he said.
"We'll start to see different insects coming in, but some of the species on the edge of their range here could disappear."
Importance of wetlands
The trust hopes restoring wetlands and creating more space for nature will help wildlife adapt to a changing climate.
Shelton said projects such as the Nene Valley wetlands and the Great Fen in Cambridgeshire could help reduce wildfire risks while creating homes for wildlife.
"We've lost around 90% of the UK's wetlands," he said.
"If we bring water back into our countryside, create new wetlands and restore peatlands, that can help tackle wildfires, reduce carbon emissions and support wildlife."
But he warned that efforts to protect wildlife could not be delayed.
"This is nature talking to us, giving us a warning, and we have to respond."
The Wildlife Trust BCN is encouraging people to support conservation projects through its Wilder Future Fund, which helps fund work to protect and restore habitats across the region.
For more information visit www.wildlifetrusts.org