Are higher temperatures not more favourable for Ireland ?
Higher temperatures are more favourable for some types of crops and detrimental to others. Though this extended growing season is more likely to be interrupted by extreme weather events. Certain crops such as the potato will not fare well in our changing climate. As regards biodiversity there are winners and losers, the loser often being native species and the winners being invasive alien species. Some studies claim that up to 60% of mountain species are under threat of extinction. This is the general consensus between many experts who believe arctic and boreal relicts are most at risk. This includes a variety of species from fish to beetle (See chapter 6, ‘Climate Change: Scenarios and Impacts for Ireland ‘, Sweeney et al., 2003). The distribution and behaviour of many species will be altered. Current evidence suggests that many plant species are rapidly changing. Bud burst is occurring earlier in many tree species. Birds are likely to be affected indirectly by changes in the availabi
