Communicating Landscape: Change from adaptation and mitigation in a changing climate

Communicating Landscape is a resource to help visualise what future landscapes across Wales might look like with climate change mitigation and adaptation interventions in place. Its key aims are to support a greater use of landscape character as a tool for spatial planning, and to provide a context for integrated working. The project was commissioned by Natural Resources Wales.

Landscape-scale planning
The changing climate of Wales will have significant direct and indirect impacts on landscape character, quality, and local distinctiveness. Flooding and drought events, more frequent extreme weather, coastal erosion, and wildfires are all examples of how the landscape may change.

Adaptation and mitigation action are a clear priority of the Welsh Government, and locations for these changes must be identified. Afforestation, for example, will be a cornerstone of mitigation measures, but it is vital that we understand the impact upon the landscape character, qualities, and visual amenity. This information can help inform a landscape-scale approach that delivers enhanced outcomes for biodiversity and landscapes.

Adaptation and mitigation impacts
The report demonstrates how adaptation actions may change the character of the Welsh landscape. For example, uplands will change through improved water catchment and peatland management, the use of more resilient tree species in forestry, and modified methods of farming to improve biodiversity, shelter, and diversification. In lowlands, the character of farming may change with more intensification of productive areas - with associated adaptation measures to provide biodiversity corridors, integrate structures, improve shelter, and accommodate flooding. Developed areas will need measures to increase green infrastructure corridors, flood storage, and sustainable transport.

Mitigation measures that need to be delivered, such as renewable energy generation through wind and solar power, are likely to result in marked landscape changes that will need careful siting and design in appropriate landscape types. The planned expansion of woodland to sequestrate carbon will lead to greater enclosure, expansion of wooded uplands and lowland hedged valleys, and potentially increase diversity of character and biodiversity, dependent on species and design.

Report use
Decision makers can use the report to consider the implications of future climate change and the impacts of place-based adaptation and mitigation actions. It can help Natural Resources Wales communicate the characteristics and qualities they want to conserve, identify what actions may enhance landscape and ecological resilience, and explain the landscape changes stakeholders may have to accept.