Help wildlife adapt to climate change

As our climate changes, different species of wildlife will need to move to new ‘climate spaces’ to adapt.

Photo by Landlife

Already there are signs that species ranges are moving northwards and to higher altitudes. Research has suggested that some species such as the hazel dormouse are among a number of mammals in the UK that may become endangered as a result of future climate change.

Assuming that species can move and disperse, they still face a number of barriers. For example, habitats may be fragmented by housing or roads or agricultural landscapes.

Wildlife stands a better chance of adapting to climate change if there is a well-connected well-functioning green infrastructure. In urban areas this would include providing movement corridors and habitat patches.