British champagne production overtaking French? How the shifting seasons are playing havoc with our crops and wildlife, according to scientists - University of Warwick
Spring equinox is fast approaching, on 20 March, but the changing seasons are playing havoc with UK wildlife and crops. This comes after England and Wales had their warmest Februarys on record, according to the Met Office.
Scientists at the University of Warwick are explaining how months of unseasonably wet and warm weather are impacting animal and wildlife hibernation patterns, buds flowering, food prices, and more.
The unusual climate has even had a surprising impact on the UK’s grape production – meaning British champagne, already in production, could soon be a fierce rival for the French production market. French Champagne growers have also been hard hit by climate change, which is causing many problems with crop production; some experts think the British climate will be more suitable that the climate in areas Champagne is typically produced in France.
When does Spring begin and what weather can we expect this season?
Professor Rosemary Collier, crop expert at the University of Warwick, said: “According to the Met Office, Spring in the meteorological calendar is the season beginning in March and ending in May. Astronomically, Spring typically starts on the day of the vernal (or Spring) equinox which falls around the 20th March in the Northern Hemisphere.”
This year, the UK enters the first day of astronomical Spring following an unprecedentedly warm winter. According to provisional Met Office statistics, England and Wales had their warmest Februarys on record and it was also a wetter than average month, with the south of England experiencing its wettest February since 1836, when accurate records began.
“While we don’t have an exact idea of the weather this Spring will bring, many of the natural events that occur this season are influenced by weather conditions in the preceding months,” explained Professor Collier. “This includes the first flowering of plants such as daffodils and when particular tree species produce new leaves.”
Observations show a clear warming trend for average UK winter temperature, and this trend is expected to continue in the future due to human induced climate change. Professor Collier said: “According to the Met Office, the top-ten warmest winters on record for the UK include 2024, 2022, 2020, 2016 and 2014. This doesn’t mean the UK will no longer see cold spells, but cold spells are projected to become less frequent and less severe.
Posted On: 20/03/2024
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