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Aerial imagery of a restored wetland in England “shows what climate resilience could look like across the UK”, a leading conservation charity has said.  

From above, the Holnicote Estate in Somerset (pictured) appears lush and green, in stark contrast to the parched landscape around it. 

According to the National Trust, that’s because ecologists at the estate have reconnected rivers, restored wetlands and reintroduced beavers in a bid to retain water. At the end of what is expected to be the hottest summer on record in the UK, the approach appears to have worked. 

“For generations, as a nation we’ve drained wetlands, straightened rivers and moved water off the land as quickly as possible – here we’ve reversed that approach and the results are remarkable,” said Ben Eardley, project manager at the National Trust, which runs the estate. 

The UK has lost around 90% of its wetlands over the last century. Restoring them could help it to become more climate resilient, the trust argues. 

“Evidence shows that nature-based solutions can reduce flood risk, improve water quality, increase biodiversity and build resilience to drought,” said Eardley. “Nature shouldn’t be viewed as a cost of climate adaptation. It should be seen as one of our greatest allies.”

Related: How rewilding could help stop the spread of wildfires

Image: National Trust/Steve Sayers
Main image: iStock/NicolasMcComber