French Weir Park and River Tone - Ian Brown
Somerset's big issues
Understanding Somerset’s changing landscapes.
Somerset’s changing landscapes
Despite a relatively low population and the perception that Somerset is a green county, it has nevertheless been impacted by huge declines in biodiversity, and will continue to be impacted by the effects of climate change. Somerset is particularly vulnerable given the extremely low-lying nature of the Somerset Levels and Moors, where hard engineering and coastal barriers, which are currently the first line of defence, will come under increasing pressure as our climate continues to warm.
There is now a growing understanding and recognition amongst policy makers and communities, both nationally and locally, of the huge value of nature and how by restoring it, we can address biodiversity loss and use it as a positive step to tackle climate change. Nature can provide the answers and, to meet its targets under the Global Biodiversity Framework, the UK Government has to be bold and ambitious. Resourcing needs to be carefully targeted to enable nature recovery.
Round leaved sundew {Drosera rotundifolia}, Westhay Nature Reserve (Somerset Wildlife Trust), Somerset Levels, Somerset, UK. June 2011. - Ross Hoddinott/2020VISION
Peat
There is an estimated 11 million tonnes of carbon stored in Somerset’s lowland peat.
Water Vole (Arvicola amphibius), Kent, UK - Terry Whittaker/2020VISION
Water quality
For Somerset Wildlife Trust, water quality is of ongoing concern across the county.
Photo: Paul Harris/2020VISION
Food and Farming
By supporting farmers to shift towards regenerative, nature-friendly methods, farming has huge potential to deliver a green rural renewal.
Over the last 50 years changes in the way we live have had a damaging impact on the natural world.
©Guy Edwardes/2020VISION
Water management on the Somerset Levels
Photo: Les Binns
Climate adaptation
There is no escaping the reality that Somerset’s climate is rapidly changing in our lifetimes.
©Fergus Gill/2020VISION
Planning and development
When it comes to where we live and work, the real challenge we face is providing places where people can lead happier, healthier lives.
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