Winners and Losers in 2024’s Environment Amid Predictions of a Record-Breaking 2025

The National Trust has highlighted the contrasting effects of 2024’s wet and mild climate on wildlife and habitats across the UK. While some species and ecosystems thrived, others faced significant challenges.

Winners

• Heather Revival: Heather at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk, a crucial habitat for species like nightjar, woodlark, and adders, began recovering from the 60% loss caused by 2022’s drought. Thanks to spring rainfall, drone surveys revealed an 11% regrowth in damaged heathland.
• Wetland Boost: New wetlands created through river restoration at Holnicote in Somerset supported dense populations of water voles while also benefiting kestrels and barn owls.
• Grey Seal Success: Suffolk’s Orford Ness saw its first grey seal colony established, indicating the species’ recovery. The remote location’s low disturbance risk attracted seals from other colonies along the coastline.
• Fungi Flourish: Grassland fungi, aided by a cool, damp autumn free of frost, thrived in several areas.

Losers

• Butterflies Decline: A wet and cool spring severely impacted insect populations. Butterfly numbers were notably lower than usual across National Trust properties, with some locations reporting record lows.
• Struggling Bees: Bees faced significant challenges in many areas, though the rare bilberry bumblebee was positively sighted in the Shropshire Hills, benefiting from conservation efforts.
• Decline in Bats: Bats experienced population drops in some roosts, primarily due to reduced feeding opportunities and low insect numbers caused by the wet, cool weather.
• Mixed Results for Seabirds: The Farne Islands showed no signs of bird flu, and Arctic tern populations at Long Nanny recovered somewhat compared to 2023. However, European shag populations suffered sharp declines due to extreme weather and storms, while terns recorded substantial losses. Puffin numbers were stable.

2025 Predicted to Be the Hottest Year on Record

Global climate studies revealed the intensifying effects of human-caused climate change in 2024, adding an average of 41 days of dangerous heat. Of 29 extreme weather events analyzed, 26 were worsened by climate change, leading to tens of thousands of deaths and displacing millions.

Scientists warn that 2025 is set to become the hottest year on record. Governments and societies must urgently prepare for rising climate risks to minimize the associated human and ecological tolls.