Shropshire Hills and climate change


 * The Shropshire Hills contain an important range of habitat and landscape assets, from dry heaths to oak woodland, from moorland to alder-lined rivers and streams. Climate change is expected to change the mix of species and habitats traditionally found in the area, and affect the timing of seasonal events like flowering, breeding and migration.
 * Migratory birds such as the pied flycatcher, cuckoo and redstart may struggle to adapt to changes in seasonal timing while species associated with cooler conditions at higher altitudes may suffer. Red grouse and the cowberry plant found at Long Mynd and Stiperstones are at the southern edge of their UK range and could face an uncertain future.
 * Salmon, white clawed crayfish (a globally threatened species) and the banded demoiselle damselfly may decline as increased soil erosion affects river quality.
 * Tree species not currently native to this area, like sweet chestnut, sycamore and beech, would be better suited to surviving under changed conditions and may need to be planted in increasing numbers.

References
 * Natural England maps out a future for climate change, March 31, 2009