Charity welcomes plan to help wildlife adapt to climate change

A wildlife charity has welcomed the launch of the second stage of the Scottish Government's Climate Change Adaptation Framework.

Clifton Bain, for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scotland, said in a statement: "Scotland's wildlife is already starting to feel the effects of climate change, and to help species cope it's vital that we invest in habitats to bring them into good repair.

"This not only gives wildlife the best chance of adapting to changes, but can benefit Scotland's economy too. In some cases, such as restoring peatland, it actually helps the battle against climate change by storing carbon in the ground, while natural flood prevention measures can mean new wildlife havens."

He added: "We welcome Scottish Government plans for adaptation to be promoted through a framework and new climate change laws, but for this to succeed it must be backed up by sufficient funds."

"We also want to ensure that there is regular annual reporting to the Scottish Parliament on progress to ensure the adaptation framework does not become just another strategy gathering dust on the shelf."

A key part of the solution for helping wildlife to adapt to climate change is large scale habitat restoration.

RSPB Scotland is working with government and voluntary bodies in projects such as the restoration of the Caithness and Sutherland peatlands, the expansion of the Caledonian pinewood in Speyside and native woodland around Loch Lomond and the Trossachs.

Bird species which are already at risk from climate change include the golden plover and other wading birds found on moorland and bogs, where the warmer summers are reducing the food supply for young birds.

Migrating birds such as spotted flycatchers are also effected as they are arriving too late for the best nesting sites.

Restoration of the peatbogs should help limit the damaging effect of warmer summers on the insect food supply, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the damaged bog and help provide natural buffers to flooding problems.