Vegetation and wildlife.

Sherwood Forest oak-trees, England Heather moors in the Scottish Highlands

The humid and mild climate of Great Britain is good for plants and flowers. Some of them have become symbols in the UK. Probably you know that the poppy is the symbol of peace. The red rose is the national emblem of England, the thistle is the national emblem of Scotland and the Edinburgh International Festival. The daffodils and leek are the emblems of Northern Ireland and the shamrock is the national emblem of Wales.

The UK was originally a land of vast forests, mainly oak and beech in the Lowlands and pine and birch in the Highlands, with great stretches of marshland and small areas of moors. In the course of time, much forestland was cleared and almost all the Lowlands outside the industrial areas were put under cultivation. Today only about 6% (per cent) of the total land area remains wooded.

Extensive forests remain in eastern and northern Scotland and in south-eastern and western England. Oak, elm,ash and beech are the commonest trees in England, while Scotland has much pine and birch. The Highlands with thin soilsare largely moorland with heather and grasses. In the cultivated areas that make up most of Britain there are many wild flowers, flowering plants and grasses.

The fauna or animal life of the UK is much like that of north-western Europe, to which it was once joined. Many large mammals such as bears and wolves have been hunted to extinction, others are now protected by law. About 50 land mammals are still found in the UK. There are many foxes. Otters are common along rivers and streams, and seals live along parts of the coast. Hedgehogs, hares, rabbits, rats and mice are numerous. Deer live in some of the forests in the highlands of Scotland and in England. There are several small lizards, two or three kinds of snakes, and several kinds of frogs and toads.

Wild deer Wild fox

Some 230 kinds of birds live in the UK. Another 200 are regular visitors, and many are songbirds. The most numerous are blackbird, sparrow and starling. Robin Redbreast is the national bird of the UK. The number of ducks, geese and other water fowl has diminished during recent years. Partridges,pheasants and other large and rare birds are protected by law. Gulls and other sea birds nest near the coast.

Robin Redbreast Pheasants

There are many threats to wildlife and ecological balance around the coast. The biggest threat to the coastline is pollution. Even much-loved Blackpool is not officially safe. More than 3.500 million tons of industrial wasteare pumped into the North Sea every year. “We cannot continue to use our seas as a dustbin and expect our coastline survive”, says Greenpeace. Many other ecological problems may be caused by privatization of the coast. Many of the rivers and lakes are biologically dead, unable to support fish and wildlife.

The British Government supports international efforts to protect nature. It works to stop dumping of dangerous substances to all coastal waters;

· to reduce pollution from off shore oil installations;

· to provide greater protection for marine wildlife;

· to support international research and monitoring.