Wild Devon? The current situation
As a largely rural area, Devon has an important role as a general nature reserve for the UK. The hedgerows, wetlands, heathlands, moors, waterways, domestic gardens and the culm grasslands (particular to Devon and Cornwall) are all vital to wildlife. Wetlands, heath and grasslands sequester far more carbon than woodland, while wetlands are also important for floodwater regulation and storage and species rich grasslands are the best way of producing food on marginal land with minimal oil input (grass fed meat). There are a number of very active wildlife organisations in the County that encourage understanding and provide information about caring for wildlife and get people involved and active in local conservation work and wildlife surveys. Small but subtle changes in the behaviour of nature also provide valuable indications of bigger changes, from the accumulative effects of local farming practices to the more substantial impacts of climate change, some of which are already noticeable.
Devon Biodiversity Records Centre (DBRC) gathers information for Devon Wildlife Trust to see how our wildlife is being affected by climate change. The information that they collect only shows a ‘snapshot’ of what is happening at the moment, but this can be compared with existing datasets to see if there has been a change. Repeating the survey in a few years time will help to show if there is a trend. They have identified species that are particularly useful indicators of climate change; for example, becoming active at an unusual time of year, changing distribution, or becoming more or less common (see below for who to contact if you would like to get involved in their surveys1) . Examples include:
- Dormouse: Since 2003 DBRC have received records of dormice raiding bird feeders, living in peoples’ sheds and being active in the winter instead of hibernating. This could be a sign of climate change, with dormice responding to warmer and wetter winters.
- Red Admiral Butterfly: Survey work by Butterfly Conservation has shown that in the mid 1990s, Red Admirals were arriving 40 days earlier than they were in the 1970. There has also been an increase in sightings during the winter. This change in behaviour is probably due to climate change, as the warmer winters mean that red admirals can survive.
Footnotes
2 comments on “Wild Devon? The current situation”
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Wondering if you could clarify and point me to what data the above in para 1″Wetlands, heath and grasslands sequester far more carbon than woodland” is based on?
What I think you might mean is ‘the total area of wetlands, heath and grasslands hold far more carbon than the total area of woodlands?’
The information on this page came from Devon Wildlife Trust. I agree with your suggestion that it is the total area of wetlands etc that hold more carbon than woodlands due to the area they cover. Thanks for your input.