This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/sci/tech/7191196.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Big climate impact' on UK coasts 'Big climate impact' on UK coasts
(about 1 hour later)
Climate change is having a major impact on Britain's coast, the seas around the coast, and the life in those seas, a government-sponsored report concludes.Climate change is having a major impact on Britain's coast, the seas around the coast, and the life in those seas, a government-sponsored report concludes.
The Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership (MCCIP) says seas are becoming more violent, causing coastal erosion and a higher risk of flooding.The Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership (MCCIP) says seas are becoming more violent, causing coastal erosion and a higher risk of flooding.
Higher CO2 levels in the atmosphere are making oceans warmer and more acidic, affecting plankton, fish and birds.Higher CO2 levels in the atmosphere are making oceans warmer and more acidic, affecting plankton, fish and birds.
2006 was the second warmest year in coastal waters since records began.2006 was the second warmest year in coastal waters since records began.
"Our seas play a vital role in regulating our climate and are a lifeline for the communities that live around them," said Scotland's Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead."Our seas play a vital role in regulating our climate and are a lifeline for the communities that live around them," said Scotland's Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead.
"Our marine life is now having to cope with these as well as other pressures,and is beginning to suffer as a result." "Our marine life is now having to cope with these as well as other pressures, and is beginning to suffer as a result."
Stormy weatherStormy weather
The increasing choppiness of coastal waters means that 17% of Britain's coastline is being eroded.The increasing choppiness of coastal waters means that 17% of Britain's coastline is being eroded.
England is feeling the impact most, with 30% of its coast affected, compared to 23% for Wales and 12% in Scotland.England is feeling the impact most, with 30% of its coast affected, compared to 23% for Wales and 12% in Scotland.
Climate brings plankton shifts "An increasing trend in extreme water levels has been observed," the report concludes, which is most likely to be caused by the rise in average sea level, and which brings an increased risk of flooding.Climate brings plankton shifts "An increasing trend in extreme water levels has been observed," the report concludes, which is most likely to be caused by the rise in average sea level, and which brings an increased risk of flooding.
MCCIP expects rising sea levels and an increase in storm intensity to spread the extent of erosion in future.MCCIP expects rising sea levels and an increase in storm intensity to spread the extent of erosion in future.
Warmer waters are changing the distribution of plankton, the tiny marine organisms that sit at or near the base of many marine food chains.Warmer waters are changing the distribution of plankton, the tiny marine organisms that sit at or near the base of many marine food chains.
In the North Sea, the previously dominant cold water species Calanus finmarchicus has declined by 70% since the 1960s.In the North Sea, the previously dominant cold water species Calanus finmarchicus has declined by 70% since the 1960s.
The MCCIP report says these changes "have led to reduced availability ofprey fish for some seabirds, which has been strongly linked to recent poor breeding success and reduced survival rates." The MCCIP report says these changes "have led to reduced availability of prey fish for some seabirds, which has been strongly linked to recent poor breeding success and reduced survival rates."
One bird affected is the black-legged kittiwake, whose "poor breeding success and reduced survival in recent years have been strongly linked to warmer winters and changes to their fish prey populations".One bird affected is the black-legged kittiwake, whose "poor breeding success and reduced survival in recent years have been strongly linked to warmer winters and changes to their fish prey populations".
The ability of wildlife to withstand these trends is reduced, the report concludes, by over-fishing.The ability of wildlife to withstand these trends is reduced, the report concludes, by over-fishing.