London Royal Parks Being Replanted With Mediterranean, Tropical Trees

[hatrack]

"LONDON’S royal parks are to be planted with Mediterranean and tropical trees because they will be able to withstand the effects of climate change. The parks, which have fine collections of native trees such as oak and beech, will increasingly be planted with species such as Spanish chestnut and ornamental plants from warmer climates that are better able to withstand long hot summers and dry soil.

A spokesman for the Royal Parks Agency said: “We will still plant native species such as oak when we can, but each location will be assessed. If it seems likely to become too dry or sunny then we will bring in new species.” Native trees are already being killed by rising temperatures, according to experts — while trees from warmer climates, such as the olive, are starting to thrive.

The strategy will apply to the eight parks controlled by the agency including Hyde Park, Regent’s Park and Richmond Park. The decision follows recommendations from a working party set up to consider how the parks should deal with the gradual rise in temperatures expected over the next 100 years.

EDIT

The working party found that climate change would bring different problems to each park. Richmond Park, for example, has many English oak trees, which are particularly vulnerable to hot dry summers. Oaks will now only be planted in shadier and wetter locations, with the Spanish chestnut preferred in drier locations. There are also some native species, such as lime and the London plane, that can withstand hotter climates."

EDIT

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1669562,00.html

[aquart]

1. This is terrifying evidence of climate change.

But the US is doing NOTHING to deal with it here.

[bahrbearian]

2. I thought europe was suppose to get cooler temps when the

ocean currents shut down, more like a ice age.

[phantom power]

3. It will be warmer, until the current collapses.

It will be interesting to see how long it gets warmer, before it gets cooler. The current appears to be well on it's way to stopping, but it hasn't stopped just yet.

[bahrbearian]

4. Maybe they should plant some tundra too,, to be on the safe side.