The Royal Parks, havens of wildlife and natural beauty, are facing the harsh realities of climate change. Droughts, floods, and shifting seasons are impacting everything from the smallest insects to the largest trees.
A World Out of Sync
From the amphibian’s perspective, a changing climate is a recipe for disaster. Prolonged droughts, increasingly common in recent years, have caused ponds and lakes to dry up before amphibians can complete their breeding cycle. This year, in 2022, many breeding sites for the protected great crested newt were left barren before eggs could hatch or tadpoles could reach maturity.
While the great crested newt faces a direct threat from drought, other creatures are facing challenges due to the interconnected nature of the ecosystem. Long, hot summers are making it difficult for hedgehogs, blackbirds, and thrushes to find enough food. The parched soil, hard as concrete, is devoid of the insects these animals rely on.
The consequences of drought go beyond impacting wildlife; they threaten the very foundation of the ecosystem. Dried-out soil loses its ability to absorb water, leading to severe erosion. When heavy rainfall follows a drought, the rainwater rushes off the parched ground, causing flash floods.
Floods: A Double-Edged Sword
Heavy rainfall can lead to flooding, creating a different set of challenges. Ditches, rivers, and streams swell, saturating the surrounding ground and potentially damaging the delicate microhabitats along footpaths. This creates muddy paths, unpleasant for visitors and destructive to the surrounding environment.
In areas designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), like Richmond Park and Bushy Park, these impacts are particularly significant. Flooding can threaten the rare and sensitive plants and animals found in these ecologically important grasslands and around veteran trees. Even anthills, crucial for the ecosystem, are vulnerable to damage when used as stepping stones across boggy patches.
To address these issues, The Royal Parks charity is working tirelessly to restore and protect these valuable habitats. With funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, a large-scale project is underway to repair damaged footpaths and restore vulnerable habitats like acid grasslands and ant hills.
A Warmer World, A Faster Pace
Warmer spring weather is prompting animals to emerge from hibernation and diapause earlier than usual. This altered timing can disrupt the delicate balance of the ecosystem. Some species are benefiting from warmer conditions and expanding their range. The willow emerald damselfly, for example, has been sighted in Richmond Park and Bushy Park, and buff-tailed bumble bees have been seen overwintering in Kensington Gardens.
But for other species, a warmer world presents challenges. Some species, adapted to cooler temperatures, are vanishing from certain areas. The changes in timing and distribution of species can disrupt predator-prey relationships. Birds that rely on caterpillars for food are struggling as the hatching time of their eggs falls out of sync with the emergence of caterpillars.
Migratory birds, like the willow warbler, are also feeling the impact of earlier springs. Warmer weather in the south of England has resulted in a decline in the number of willow warblers, as they shift their migratory range further north in search of a later spring.
The impacts of climate change extend to the breeding patterns of birds. Milder winters have prompted birds like the grey heron to begin breeding earlier, leading to potential food shortages and increased vulnerability to harsh weather conditions.
Cetti’s warbler, an insect-eating bird, has been expanding its range northwards through Europe, but faces challenges during harsh winters. Three of the Royal Parks have hosted breeding pairs of this species, with The Regent’s Park being the most recent site.
Trees: Guardians of the Parks, Vulnerable to Change
The Royal Parks are home to over 170,000 trees, silent witnesses to the changing climate. Heavy rainfall and flooding can damage or even drown trees, as their roots struggle to absorb oxygen from saturated soil.
On the other side of the spectrum, drought can weaken and damage trees, particularly younger ones. While older trees have more established root systems and can withstand drought for longer, they too are vulnerable to disease and pest infestations when stressed by drought conditions.
Climate change is also impacting the lifecycle of trees. Warmer winters followed by sudden cold snaps can disrupt flowering and leaf bud burst, making them more susceptible to damage from storms.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, The Royal Parks charity has declared a climate emergency and launched the Help Nature Thrive project. This ambitious initiative aims to strengthen the natural defenses and resources of the parks, ensuring a healthier future for these beloved green spaces.
Volunteers play a vital role in this effort. They work tirelessly behind the scenes to create new habitats, clear ponds, and restore paths. If you’re passionate about conservation, consider volunteering for a project or becoming a Citizen Scientist. Together, we can help the Royal Parks thrive in the face of climate change.
