Climate change has helped more UK species than it has harmed, RSPB study finds

Wildlife groups' study of fortunes of 400 UK plant and animal species concludes that the 'net impact' of climate change has so far been positive

By Emily Gosden

8:15PM GMT 23 Mar 2016

Climate change has so far helped more species than it has hurt in the UK, a major study by wildlife groups including the RSPB has found.

The study of the fortunes of 398 plant and animal species since 1970 found that 152 had been affected in some way by climate change, with “more species impacted positively than negatively in the short-term at least”.

It found that 61 species had been harmed by climate change, such as Capercaillies, which saw more chicks die due to increased spring rainfall, and the Mountain Ringlet butterfly, which lives in colder climes and has seen its habitat decrease as temperatures rise.

However, 91 species had seen a positive impact. These included Grey Herons and Woodpigeons, which have lower mortality thanks to the milder winters, and the Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly, which has been able to expand northwards through the UK as temperatures rise.

"The net impact of climatic change on UK species in our sample is positive, but it is not clear whether this will always be the case."

Study by wildlife groups including RSPB

The warmer climate has also enabled species from continental Europe to colonise the UK, which was previously too cold for them, These include the Small red-eyed damselfly and the Little Egret, the RSPB said.

The report concluded: "The net impact of climatic change on UK species in our sample is positive, but it is not clear whether this will always be the case. Protected area networks will be essential to help species survive and track suitable climate space."

The RSPB is a vocal campaigner for action to tackle climate change, which it describes as the “greatest long-term threat to people and wildlife”.

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