Learning from the past to influence the future

This report presents a number of case studies, ranging from periods in the distant geological past up to the present-day, which reveal the causes, and speed and magnitude of environmental changes that have affected the land area we now recognise as England. Most of all these case studies demonstrate the dynamic nature of environments over all time scales. These case studies are presented in a format to aid planners to anticipate and manage future change, by placing the gradual landscape development and subtle trends in climate-driven environmental changes seen at the present-day into the context of longer-term environmental evolution. The most urgent environmental effects to be considered over the next century are likely to be a significantly warmer temperature affecting the distribution of flora and fauna across England and the trend for rising sea level, leading to shifting coastlines in some low-lying areas. The predicted increase in the intensity and amount of winter rainfall will also lead to more frequent river flooding and increased slope and cliff instability. But this report also reveals a small risk of environmental disruption by catastrophic events, in particular volcanic eruptions, and presents the case that eventually the English landscape will be affected by a sudden return to glacial conditions. Examples have been chosen to illustrate environmental change within a naturally evolving landscape due to coastal change, evolution of rivers and ground instability, and also of catastrophic changes caused by the onset and decline of glaciers and volcanic or tectonic events. Floral and faunal changes are treated separately, because they can be affected by all other factors causing environmental change. Where possible, modern and ancient examples are used to illustrate each process effecting environmental change. The conservation of important geological sites, including the 1400 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) which include a notified geological interest, is important to preserve a record of the wide variety of environmental change that has occurred in the past. The past is very much the key to the present and future in respect of the likely speed of climate and environmental change.