From polar bears in the Arctic to sea turtles off the coast of Africa, the diversity of life on our planet is threatened by climate change, but how is climate change affecting wildlife on our island?
Bluebells
Our famous bluebell fields are at risk as warming weather will cause them to bloom out of sync with optimum conditions.
(Photo credit: Graham Makepeace-Warne)
Common Carder Bumblebee
Bumblebees are at risk from overheating.
(Photo credit: Graham Makepeace-Warne)
Grey seal
As our marine apex predator, the Atlantic grey seal is at risk from losing its food supply as fish move north with warming waters.
(Photo credit: Graham Makepeace-Warne)
Hedgehog
Our hedgehogs who are already suffering from loss of habitat, high mortality on the roads and poisoning will struggle further due to drier weather and loss of food species.
(Photo credit: Graham Makepeace-Warne)
Painted lady
You might think butterflies like warmer weather but many species overwinter as larvae which can be attacked by bacteria that should normally be killed off by frosts.
(Photo credit: Graham Makepeace-Warne)
Mountain hare
With warming temperatures the mountain hare’s habitat is shrinking. Furthermore, they change their coats from brown to white which is triggered by day length. But if there is no snow they are very conspicuous to predators.
(Photo credit: Lara Howe)
Basking sharks
The basking sharks are endangered in our region which means they are at real risk of extinction.
They are already impacted by climate change because rising sea temperatures have affected their favourite food, tiny shrimp-like plankton, and this in turn impacts on their behaviour and migration patterns.
(Photo credit: Anders Salesjö)
Information supplied by Manx Wildlife Trust.