As in previous years, hedgehogs and salamanders are increasingly spotted around this time of year. December is once again warmer than normal. The average temperature – measured over days and nights – was 6.5 degrees this month, while it is normally around 4.2 degrees.
According to meteorologist William Huizinga of Buienradar, the weather is mild for this time of year. “In recent days, daytime temperatures have been between 9 and 11 degrees. While around 6 degrees is normal for this time of year.”
Survival rate
Not only mammals and amphibians, insects also suffer from the high temperatures, which disrupt their winter rest.
According to biologist Arnold van Vliet of Wageningen University, insects use more energy due to the high temperatures. “As a result, their fat reserves and energy reserves are burned much faster, which greatly reduces the chance of survival,” he says. “The decrease in available energy makes it more difficult to ward off pathogens.”
The mild weather is due to south-westerly and westerly air currents. “These provide more moderate temperatures than the northern air currents, which are cold,” Huizinga explains. According to him, the mild weather at this time of year is not new. “In recent years we have been experiencing milder December months more often.”
Record temperature
In January this year, the hottest January day ever measured was recorded. The highest temperature was then measured in Eindhoven: 16.9 degrees.
Record temperatures were also measured in the oceans. In this video, marine researcher Furu Mienis explains how it affects marine life and humans:
Due to the high temperatures, some of the plants and animals that were in winter dormancy became active again. Plants such as crocuses and snowdrops, celandine and yellow dogwood started growing in January, while they normally bloom at the end of March. “This extreme weather is one of the reasons that there have been far fewer butterflies and insects than normal this year,” says Van Vliet.
Repeated pattern
“We are in a mode of record after record in terms of temperatures and extremely dry and wet periods,” says Van Vliet, “Looking at the new climate scenarios from the KNMI, we will have many more records to choose from. It will have a great effect on many animal and plant species. This is impressive and dangerous”
He mentions the common toad as an example. It is a common species in the Netherlands, but the population has declined enormously in recent years. “We have had to deal with a succession of extremely dry periods and warm winters in recent years. This is undoubtedly one of the causes of the toad’s decline.”
Mild winters are not a problem for all animal species. Some animals such as mice and hedgehogs may benefit, provided food sources are available. “I am currently hearing stories about hedgehogs that are still active. That is not surprising at these temperatures and it would not surprise me if they can still find enough food. I would say let them run freely, they will have to cope with these conditions. get used to,” says Van Vliet.
2023-12-28 11:59:32
#Nature #disarray #Impressive #dangerous
