The National Trust's annual audit reveals a dire year for UK wildlife, with extreme weather conditions in 2022 devastating honeybee populations and other species. The charity's climate crisis adviser, Keith Jones, warned that the climate emergency means extreme events are becoming the new norm, creating major challenges for many species.
The drought and heatwaves led to a shorter flowering season, depleting food sources for pollinators like honeybees during their peak summer period. This resulted in poor breeding success and reduced numbers, as flying insects struggled to find nectar and pollen from withered plants.
Wildfires, fueled by the hot summer, destroyed heathland habitats in Cornwall, Devon, and Dorset, further impacting insect populations. The National Trust's head of nature conservation, Ben McCarthy, noted that some habitats like wetlands and grasslands completely dried out, affecting all species that depend on them.
While generalist species like robins may adapt better, specialists like honeybees face greater risks. The charity calls for urgent action to mitigate rising temperatures and help nature survive the increasing frequency of floods, droughts, heatwaves, and storms.
