3. Climate Change

Climate change models predict that rising global temperatures will mean higher mean temperatures throughout the year with hotter drier or wetter summers, warmer wetter winters and more frequent extreme weather such as flooding and droughts. Ongoing work is assessing the potential impact of climate change on the historic environment in Wales, including historic parks and gardens. The Historic Environment Group has produced Historic Environment in Climate Change in Wales — Sectoral Adaptation Plan36 and further updates will be posted on the Cadw website. Historic parks and gardens that are celebrated for their exotic species may benefit because some heat-loving plants may flourish in warmer conditions. However, you may need to adapt plant care, planting choices and greenhouse management. Higher temperatures can also lead to a greater risk of fire in dried-out vegetation. Elsewhere, you may need to consider adaptive strategies as trees, plants and built structures are lost or damaged due to more frequent storms and flooding. Winter water storage for use during the drier summer months will also be necessary.

Increased seasonal temperatures will increase the survival rate of garden pests and diseases, which can alter the character of historic parks and gardens both directly and as a result of consequent tree and plant removal. You may need to think about the introduction of more resistant plant and tree species.

More advice will follow about adapting to the impact of climate change on all aspects of the historic environment.