Threats to the landscape
The 21st century poses new threats to the British landscape.
Agriculture continues to intensify and urban developments like the Thames Gateway put natural areas like the marshlands of North Kent at risk. The transport infrastructure, including aviation, continues to grow and opencast coal mining is beginning to replace the old underground pits.
But climate change is probably the greatest challenge. The seasons are already changing, with spring starting earlier year by year. Floods and storms are becoming more frequent and growing in intensity. Many native trees will suffer from higher temperatures and new species will invade the countryside. And rising sea levels will dramatically change the coastline as more places are lost under the waves.
