Somerset Levels and Moors

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Otters: Reduced summer rainfall will result in many small rivers and streams having very low flow rates for long periods of the year. This is likely to reduce the fish populations and directly impact upon the number of otters in Somerset. Intensive management of watercourses as water resources become more scarce could also damage habitats used by otters.

Lapwing: Climate change is an increasingly important consideration for managing lapwings and other species on wet grassland. Wetland habitats will be affected by changes in both the amount and the seasonal timing of rainfall, and protecting wet grassland in Somerset is likely to become increasingly difficult.

Frogs and Toads: Early summer droughts could kill tadpoles much more often in the future. As toads tend to 'adopt' one breeding pond, they are unlikely to move onto another if it dries up. Overall, droughts are bad for amphibians, and warm winters will break up hibernation, making it more hazardous.