With their mild climate and varied soils, the British Isles has a diverse pattern of natural vegetation. Some of them have become symbols of the UK.

Vegetation

With their mild climate and varied soils, the British Isles has a diverse pattern of natural vegetation. Some of them have become symbols of the UK.

When the islands were first settled, vast oak

and beech

forests probably covered the greater part of the lowland, giving way to extensive marshlands, thin forests of Scots pine

and birch

on higher and sandy ground and perhaps some open moorland. In the course of some centuries nearly all the forests were cleared and woodland now covers a little less than 8% of England, 16% of Scotland, 12% of Wales and 6% of Northern Ireland. Midland Britain appears to be well wooded because of numerous hedgerows and isolated trees. The greatest density of woodland occurs in the north and east of Scotland, in some parts of south-east England and on the Welsh border.

The most common trees in England are oak and

ash.

In the south, beech is often dominant;

alder

is common in wetter parts, especially along streams. Other English trees are

rowan

elm,

lime,

yew,

maple

and holly.

A great many trees that are now common, such as

Sycamore

and horse chestnut

were introduced by man.

The flora in Scotland is much affected by the varied climate of this small country. The Atlantic climate of the west coast is warm and wet but the areas of poor rocks and winds of excessive strength result in sparse or non-existent tree growth. In sheltered places, though, birch woods can be found with rowan and willow interspersed. Oak and pine grow chiefly along sea lochs.

The unique vegetation of Wales reflects the mountainous character of the country and its moist climate. Moisture-loving species such as

ferns

are found throughout most of Wales. Thousands of acres of hillside have been planted with new trees, and moorlands change colour through the year as

heather,

bilberry

and bog asphodel

bloom and die. The warm and damp climate of the south-west encourages exotic flowers normally seen in the Mediterranean countries.

Most of Britain, however, is agricultural land, of which about a third is arable; the rest is pasture and meadows. The cool, temperate climate of Britain and the even distribution of rainfall ensure a long growing season. Streams rarely dry up; grassland is green throughout the year and full of wild flowers from spring to autumn: there is scarcely a month in which some flowers cannot be found in hedgerows and sheltered woodland glades.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-05