Biodiversity-Strategy-January-2023

20 6.0 The Biodiversity Crisis - Globally and Locally There is strong evidence that climate change is already affecting UK biodiversity and research indicates that this is happening at a faster rate than ever before. Some habitats are particularly vulnerable to climate change; the risks are clearest for montane habitats (increased temperature), wetlands (changes in water availability) and coastal habitats (sea level rise). Impacts are expected to increase in magnitude as climate change worsens. According to the UK government’s own review of its progress towards its biodiversity goals, 14 out of 42 biodiversity indicators show a long- term decline, including continued deterioration of the UK habitats and species of European importance, as well as a decline in priority species. The State of Nature 2019 report has revealed that 41% of UK species studied have declined, 26% have increased and 33% show little change since 1970. Furthermore, the State of Nature 2019 report found that populations of the UK’s most important wildlife have fallen by 60% over the last 50 years. Non-native species are a significant threat to biodiversity and our local economy. Invasive species within the Fermanagh and Omagh District include zebra mussel, Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed, rhododendron, Himalayan balsam, and diseases such as ash dieback; a fungal disease introduced on imported trees, which is having a devastating impact on native ash trees throughout the UK and Ireland. Over In 2013, the estimated cost of these to the environment was of the 31,500 Species in Ireland are non-native 1,200 £207 million per year CLIMATE CHANGE IS HAVING AN INCREASING IMPACT ON NATURE IN THE UK 40% of moth decline is due to climate change. 60% of aphid increase is due to climate change. The UK’s kittiwake population has declined by 70% since 1986 as climate change has reduced the availability of sandeels, a key food source in breeding season. Swallows are arriving in the UK 15 days earlier and breeding 11 days earlier than they did in the 1960s. Great tits lay their eggs on average 11 days earlier than they did in 1968. Migratory birds are arriving and laying eggs earlier.