These permanent incomers will not be fleeing political, economic or religious oppression, but escaping climate change and avoiding extinction.
According to new research, the British Isles could become a vast living ark, or ARC - assisted regional colonisation area - where animal and plant species threatened by climate change would begin a new life.
The Iberian lynx, Spanish imperial eagle, de Prunner's ringlet butterfly, and the Caucasian wingnut tree, are among the potential species listed for rescuing and moving to Britain, which, researchers say, is ideally placed to become an ARC.
Professor Chris Thomas, a conservation biologist at the University of York, says: "There is an urgency about this and we need to develop a long shopping list of species that could be located here and monitor them so that action can be taken when needed. This kind of translocation is the only realistic conservation option we have for species that cannot otherwise escape the threat of climate change. Read the full report here.
Source: Roger Dobson, The Independent, UK.
