Each 1°C increase in temperature brings forward flowering by 11 days according to scientists who created a model using climate data.

Temperatures are expected to rise by 5°C by 2080 which could lead to flowers blooming as much as two months early.

Early flowering will increase the risk of disease and the potential for severe crop damage by late frosts.

It could also threaten many animal species if they fail to adapt to the rapid changes.

The University of Edinburgh's Professor Ray Thompson warned the change could be devastating.

He created the model using climate data going back as far as 1775.

The worst hit areas are likely to have oceanic climates like those in Western Europe, the US east coast, New Zealand, Chile and North Africa.

Monash University's Dr Rohan Clark said:  "This new model allows us to refine predictions of the future impact of warming on plant and animal life across the mouth of the world."

 

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