In the UK, Kent will be one of the first counties to experience soaring temperatures and must set an example to the rest of the country, demonstrating the importance of climate-resilient landscapes. Kent Wildlife Trust , as a leader in the field of embracing innovative solutions to the biodiversity and climate crises - such as the Ham Fen beaver project and the Wilder Blean Initiative - are driving change across reserves and encouraging others to adapt to the challenges posed by the increasing temperatures and extreme weather.
What will happen in Kent?
In short, our summers are getting hotter and drier and our winters warmer and wetter.
The State of Nature in Kent Report says that UK Climate Projections have identified that for Kent and Medway, hotter summers are likely, with an increase in average summer temperature of 2-3°C by 2040, and a further predicted rise of 5-6°c by 2080. The report also states that winter temperatures will rise by 1-2°C by 2040 and 3-4°C by 2080.
We are already experiencing hotter, drier summers and it is predicted summers will have a reduction in average precipitation of 20-30% by 2040 and 30-50% by 2080. Wetter winters with an increase in average precipitation of 10-20% by 2040 and 20-30% by 2080.
As well as winters becoming wetter overall, the intensity of rainfall is also projected to increase by as much as 25% in southeast England (UK Climate Risk, 2021).
Kent Wildlife Trust’s Charlotte Lewis says: “Sadly this news is not a surprise, we can see the impact of weather changes on the habitats across our reserves. As the sea level rises, we experience coastal erosion and both changes and loss of species in the county. The increased rainfall followed by drought degrades soils and causes long-term damage to the ecosystems. These are changes that are happening now, and urgent action is needed.”
What is Kent Wildlife Trust doing about climate change?
The trust champions natural management techniques as much as possible to ensure our reserves are more connected across the landscape. We work to diversify and expand the distribution of species, cultivate a mosaic of habitats, and implement management strategies to mitigate the disruptive environmental fluctuations that climate change brings.
Rewetting helps to boost habitat resilience in both wet and dry periods, this includes installing leaky dams which stabilise water and improve water quality and flood prevention downstream. Beavers do the same at Ham Fen, helping to restore Kent’s largest remaining fen by creating a network of wetland channels and dams.
At Oare Marshes, a new network of wet channels was designed to retain water longer into the spring to benefit breeding wetland species, such as lapwings.
Kent Wildlife Trust also has been incorporating more woodland, scrub and reed bed areas into their field designs with animals lightly grazing in these habitats helping to maintain their ecology. By utilising animals it negates the reliance on using machinery to manage these reserves.
The charity has also created long-term reserve plans to outline a move towards the creation of a mosaic of habitats, rather than large areas of one habitat type. This variety gives more species a better chance to find the food, shelter and nesting sites they need as the climate continues to change.
Charlotte continues: “All our habitats in Kent are vulnerable to climate change. Therefore, it’s important that as a conservation charity, the trust continues to develop new strategies to mitigate this threat and adapts the management of its nature reserves.
“We are working with partners across the county to adapt to these changes and support local wildlife wherever we can. The next general election will be crucial in delivering the governments 30 by 30 targets and driving forward the policy changes we need. We are urging MP’s to prioritise nature and are asking Kent residents to review all parties’ environment policies when considering their vote. There is hope and we can all make a difference but we must all take action now.”