wildlife revival

[STYRBJORN]

I think this is the best place to point out a very good article in today's Independent, 29/08, title as post. It discusses both the success stories ie salmon,otter, buzzard, red kite, and the losses due to climate warming.

google "independent", go to paper, put "wildlife revival" in search box.

Ric

[operanut1972]

Hi Ric,

Makes a balanced argument for allowing planning laws to remain the same!

[Littlesparrow]

I've had a Read Ric, as the article said it is a complex subject and global warming seems to be here to stay.

[Mele]

Hi Ric
Thanks for the tip - an interesting read.
I'm generally pessimistic about the future of our wildlife in this crowded little isle. The stories of 'success'; handfuls of jazzy species which catch the headlines, are rare. I'm am not sure I share his cautious optimism.
However, the article mentioned the book 'Say goodbye to the cuckoo' by Mike McCarthy, which I've not read - and it sounds a depressing title so should suit my mood I just ordered that on Amazon
Mel

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by STYRBJORN

I think this is the best place to point out a very good article in today's Independent, 29/08, title as post. It discusses both the success stories ie salmon,otter, buzzard, red kite, and the losses due to climate warming.
google "independent", go to paper, put "wildlife revival" in search box.
Ric

Interesting that he champions Gilbert White and his 'parochial' view of our wildlife. He, (GW), more than anyone, introduced me to wildlife, and to his parish, in which I lived and worked for over 45 years.

I note he mentions how well butterflies have done due to 'warming' and eludes that it is also responsible for butterfly losses, but actually puts it down to habitat fragmentation. -
"Even when climate change does offer opportunities, not every species is able to take advantage of them. So while some butterflies, such as the comma and peacock, are currently spreading north into Scotland, others, such as the wood white and high brown fritillary, have been unable to do so. This is because they are confined to ever decreasing fragments of specialised habitat and cannot make the leap across what to them is hostile territory".
Bit naughty that.

I'm pleased to say that the Cuckoo is still very plentifull in this part of the country.
Dorts.

[Mele]

BBC today say there is a chronic shortage of homes.....so....

The government says it has made more public land available for building

Housing Minister Grant Shapps said..."That's why I've announced plans to release thousands of acres of public land for housebuilding"

More habitat loss and fragmentation...less wildlife?
Mel
Linkie to BBC news site

[STYRBJORN]

Meanwhile nobody can afford to buy a first time house. The loonies are running the bin . . .

Ric

[pressld2]

Thanks Ric, an interesting and balanced article.

Originally Posted by Dorts

I note he mentions how well butterflies have done due to 'warming' and eludes that it is also responsible for butterfly losses, but actually puts it down to habitat fragmentation. -
"Even when climate change does offer opportunities, not every species is able to take advantage of them. So while some butterflies, such as the comma and peacock, are currently spreading north into Scotland, others, such as the wood white and high brown fritillary, have been unable to do so. This is because they are confined to ever decreasing fragments of specialised habitat and cannot make the leap across what to them is hostile territory".
Bit naughty that.

Not naughty at all. Habitat fragmentation, as clearly explained in the article, is not the cause of the butterflies' decline, it's simply one factor. It's what prevents them from coping with global warming by moving northward as other, less specialised, species are doing. If global warming wasn't pushing them northwards then habitat fragmentation would be less significant. Still not good, obviously, but less significant.

Dave P.

[AndyC]

Originally Posted by STYRBJORN

It discusses both the success stories ie salmon,otter, buzzard, red kite, and the losses due to climate warming.

An interesting article but anyone who thinks that salmon in England & Wales are a succes story has fallen hook line and sinker for the Environment Agency spin. True salmon are now found in more rivers that they were 100 years ago but the actual numbers of fish are hugely reduced on almost ALL of their old strongholds.
A handfull of fish getting up the Mersey while encouraging hardly makes up for the collapse of stocks on rivers like the Wye, Exe or Hants Avon. There can be very few, if any, major English/Welsh salmon rivers that produce even half of what they did twenty years ago let alone back in the mid 1900's.

Even the EA's own data shows a general decline in water quality in many rivers over the last few years. In my neck of the woods it is mostly diffuse agricultural pollution that causes the problems, something that is not easily spotted unless you know what you are looking for. I am involved in a small way with monitoring inverts on several streams and it is clear that abundance of aquatic insects (the base of a river's foodchain) has fallen greatly in many areas. All is far from well with our rivers and streams.

Andy

[STYRBJORN]

I'll grant you all those points Andy, but the situation is better than even 10 years ago, and there is more awareness of the problems. I reckon you are a glass half empty man!

Ric