Early flowering plants could have “significant impacts” for ecosystem

Scientists warn of potential dangers for the ecosystem after a recent study reveals that UK plants are flowering a month earlier than usual, due to increasing air temperature.

Researchers from the University of Cambridge studied more than 400,000 records dating back to 1793, where the average date for the first blooms of spring was in May.

However, research reveals that since 1986, this date has been pushed forward an entire month, due to an increase in air temperature, with concerns that this could be pushed further forward still.

Although beautiful blooms in the winter months might brighten up the start of the year, this could have a devastating effect on the wider ecosystem, causing a temporal mismatch between plants, insects, and birds.

Scientists explain that pollinating insects feeding on flowers and plants could find themselves arriving too late, putting these species at significant risk and kick-starting a chain reaction in other parts of the ecosystem, including agriculture, which relies heavily on pollinating insects for a successful crop yield.

Dr Emma Gardner, head of environment for the Laudato Si’ Centre and the Diocese of Salford, is alarmed by the results of the study and is eager to see how this is unfolding across our diocesan area of Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

She said: “Recent reports that plants seem to be flowering a month earlier in the UK due to climate change presents many questions.  If plants and pollinators become out of sync this will have significant impacts.  We are interested to see what is happening across the diocese and to hear your thoughts”.

You can share your photos of any early signs of spring by emailing us at communications@dioceseofsalford.org.uk or tagging us on social media.

Read more about the University of Cambridge study here.