Soil Management
Soil and crop management will need to respond to changes in growing seasons, rainfall patterns and water availability. For example increased heavy rainfall may increase soil erosion, run-off, compaction and crop damage. This could be countered by improving soil quality, using cover crops to reduce soil exposure, strengthening hedging, field trees and other field boundaries, and ploughing along slope contours.
More infoCrops
A warming climate could benefit agricultural productivity and allow new crops, although weather will remain variable and at times damaging. Changes to farming practice could take opportunities and minimise threats, for example through establishing tree shelter-belts and making use of poly tunnels (perhaps with smart materials).
More infoRe-naturalising Watercourses
Re-naturalising watercourses (by de-canalising and restoring meanders) is a natural flood management measure that can reduce flood risk downstream. This improves water quality, provides riparian habitats for wildlife and reduces maintenance costs.
More infoArchaeological Sites
Heavy rainfall and changing patterns of land use can increase soil erosion and disturbance to archaeological sites, especially if damaging cultivation, grazing or burrowing animals are present. Controlling rabbits, limiting to light grazing and preventing invasive vegetation can protect the Iron Age hill fort.
More infoChanging Crops
Increased heavy rainfall can lead to soil erosion, crop damage and impact on water quality due to runoff from fields. It may be appropriate to change to a different crop, for example small-scale short rotation coppice willow that provides energy for biomass and supports community resilience.
More infoReconnecting Floodplain
Heavy rainfall can increase flooding in the catchment. Natural flood management can reduce flood risk, for example by removing the flood bank to reconnect the river with the floodplain, which provides storage of flood water.
More infoHistoric Sites
Historic structures can be consolidated or restored to reduce vulnerability to changing weather. Adaptive and proactive conservation of exposed features, for example turf roofs and soft capping of walls, can limit the damage. Some buildings may be restored for use.
More infoLivestock Management
Waterlogged ground is vulnerable to poaching by cattle, causing erosion and pollution. In summer, cattle may be vulnerable to heat exposure during heatwaves. Farming practices can adapt, for example by building sheds, fencing land by rivers, and providing trees for shade.
More infoLowland Raised Bog
Lowland raised bog is vulnerable to drying out in summer. The restoration of bogs by blocking ditches and managing agricultural runoff can improve ecosystem function and increase resilience. It can also slow deterioration of archaeological remains.
More infoCreating Habitat
Nature and biodiversity is vulnerable to climate change. Creating a pond from former gravel working can provide new habitats for wildlife, woodland for birds including new arrivals like nuthatch, and opportunities for recreation, including angling.
More infoProtect Infrastructure
With an increase in flooding, key infrastructure such as water and wastewater facilities may need increased flood protection. A variety of methods can be used to adapt sites to flood risk, for example, constructing hard defences, creating upstream storage for flood waters, and raising control equipment above flood level to maintain services during floods.
More infoImproved Livestock Buildings
Hotter summers can lead to overheating for livestock kept indoors. Improving ventilation in buildings will reduce this risk. There is also potential to capture biomass for local energy production.
More infoFlood Protection
New flood protection measures can protect the village. The river can be given space on the floodplain that includes planned flooding of the play area, which is designed to recover quickly after an event.
More infoSurface Water
Localised surface water flooding in the village during heavy rainfall events can be reduced by increasing permeable surfaces and green infrastructure like green roofs and swales.
More infoActive Travel
The longer season for outdoor activities is an opportunity to encourage more cycling and walking for recreation and active travel, reducing car use and providing health benefits. New safe cycle routes can be provided into and through the countryside.
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