Climate Change

The current indications are that in this part of the country we won’t be directly affected by changes in level for quite a long time! However, summers are likely to be drier and hotter, winters milder and wetter, and generally the weather will be stormier, with extreme conditions being less unusual.

That suggests that the climate of the AONB will have greater similarities to that of the Mediterranean, so the composition of our woodlands may change to include species that are more drought tolerant. The same is likely to apply to farm crops. Furthermore, the emphasis on biofuels may lead to larger acreages of oilseed crops. Our winterbournes may flow well in winter but their valleys may be significantly drier in summer, and so loose their year round green and lush appearance.

Natural England have undertaken a pilot study to look at local responses to climate change required to safeguard the natural environment and our enjoyment of it, focussing on the National Character Area 'Dorset Downs and Cranborne Chase'.This report can be downloaded from the Natural England Website.