2006 05 Severn Estuary Perspective - Roger Wade, Environment Agency

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The Severn Estuary and Climate Change 1st Severn Estuary Forum 8th June 2006. Dr Roger Wade Environment Agency Wales.

Transcript of 2006 05 Severn Estuary Perspective - Roger Wade, Environment Agency

The Severn Estuary and Climate Change

1st Severn Estuary Forum 8th June 2006.Dr Roger Wade

Environment Agency Wales.

My talk…...• Direct Impacts of climate change

– Flood Risk Management/ Coastal erosion– Habitats– Water resources

• Indirect impacts– Renewable energy resource– Aggregates (new build)– Leisure.

The changes….

Damage from Flooding- 2080 at 700ppm CO2 and 550ppm CO2.

Coastal Erosion-High Emissions 2080.

fisheriesPre-June (Spring) salmon rod catch, River Wye 1950-2004

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2001

No.

of s

alm

on

Changes in bird numbers

What is in or out?• Ten year trends %• Dunlin -23• Bewick Swan -75• Whooper Swan 22• Shellduck -59• Redshank -1• Gadwall 82

Water resources- Lower Summer flows?

• Salt ingress• Dredging costs• Oxygen depletion• Salmon Migration

Renewable Energy- Barrage ???

Aggregates dredging• Domestic energy reduction =

new houses= aggregates• Welsh demand largely from

Bristol Channel• Possible erosion to beaches

and cliffs• Further pressure inland

Warmer- good for holidays?