Natural England and the National Trust have raised concerns over the future of Britain's natural environment following the publication of the government's predictions on climate change.

According to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), south east England will face an increase in average summer temperatures of up to 6 degrees Celsius and a 22 per cent decrease in average summer rainfall by 2080. Sea levels are also expected to rise by 36cm (14.2in), while the North West faces an increase in average winter rainfall, all of which could have serious consequences for some of Britain's iconic natural landscapes.

Natural England, the government's advisory body for the environment, said that areas including the Norfolk Broads, the Shropshire Hills and the Dorset Downs will be severely affected unless the environment is allowed to adapt naturally to the changes. Helen Phillips, Natural England chief executive, said: "In the face of the challenges presented by climate change we have to allow natural processes within the environment to function. We cannot rely on technology or on building our way out of trouble.

"The critical services that a healthy environment delivers - like carbon capture, coastal defence, clean water, clean air or healthy, productive soils - must be allowed to operate unimpeded and undamaged to a much greater degree than they have been able to in recent years." The National Trust said that it had already adopted a number of measures to help offset the effects of climate change, including adaptive planting schemes to enable gardens to survive with plant species capable of dealing with warmer climates.

Fiona Reynolds, the trust's director general, said: "Our approach is one of continual and wide-scale adaptation whether that involves taking measures to minimise the impact of heavier rainfall or flooding on historic buildings. "Better results will be achieved by working together, sharing information and by quickly acting on what we have already learnt. The new projections provide a compelling case for us all to get on with immediate and practical action."

Image: Natural England/Dougall McNeill