Editing Cornwall (section)

==Ecology==
===Flora and fauna===
{{See also|Flora and fauna of Cornwall}}
Cornwall has varied habitats including terrestrial and marine ecosystems. One noted species in decline locally is the [[Reindeer lichen]], which species has been made a priority for protection under the national UK [[Biodiversity Action Plan]].<ref>Price, J. H., Hepton, C. E. L. and Honey, S. I. (1979). ''The Inshore Benthic Biota of the Lizard Peninsula'', south west Cornwall: the marine algae – History; Chlorophyta; Phaeophyta. ''Cornish Studies''; no. 7: pp. 7–37</ref><ref>Bere, Rennie (1982) ''The Nature of Cornwall''. Buckingham: Barracuda Books</ref>

[[File:Choughfly816.jpg|thumb|The [[red-billed chough]] (''Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax''), once commonly seen throughout Cornwall, experienced a severe decline in its population in the 20th century.]]

Botanists divide Cornwall and Scilly into two vice-counties: West (1) and East (2). The standard flora is by [[F. H. Davey]] ''Flora of Cornwall'' (1909). Davey was assisted by [[A. O. Hume]] and he thanks Hume, his companion on excursions in Cornwall and Devon, and for help in the compilation of that Flora, publication of which was financed by him.

===Climate===
{{Main|Geography of Cornwall#Climate}}
Cornwall has a [[temperate]] [[Oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]]: ''Cfb''), with mild winters and cool summers. Cornwall has the mildest and one of the sunniest climates of the United Kingdom, as a result of its oceanic setting and the influence of the [[Gulf Stream]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metoffice.com/climate/uk/averages/19712000/tmean/17.gif |title=UK climate information |publisher=Met Office |date=1 May 2014 |access-date=2 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304032708/http://www.metoffice.com/climate/uk/averages/19712000/tmean/17.gif |archive-date=4 March 2010 }}</ref> The average annual temperature in Cornwall ranges from {{cvt|11.6|C|F}} on the [[Isles of Scilly]] to {{cvt|9.8|C|F}} in the central uplands. Winters are among the warmest in the country due to the moderating effects of the warm ocean currents, and frost and snow are very rare at the coast and are also rare in the central upland areas. Summers are, however, not as warm as in other parts of southern England.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/regional-climates/sw|title=South West England: climate|website=Met Office|language=en|access-date=18 March 2019|archive-date=11 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211145822/https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/regional-climates/sw|url-status=live}}</ref> The surrounding sea and its southwesterly position mean that Cornwall's weather can be relatively changeable.

Cornwall is one of the sunniest areas in the UK. It has more than 1,541 hours of sunshine per year, with the highest average of 7.6 hours of sunshine per day in July.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metoffice.com/climate/uk/averages/19712000/ss/17.gif |title=UK climate information |publisher=Met Office |date=1 May 2014 |access-date=2 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304032747/http://www.metoffice.com/climate/uk/averages/19712000/ss/17.gif |archive-date=4 March 2010 }}</ref> The moist, mild air coming from the southwest brings higher amounts of rainfall than in eastern Great Britain, at {{cvt|1051|to|1290|mm|in}} per year. However, this is not as much as in more northern areas of the west coast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metoffice.com/climate/uk/averages/19712000/rr/17.gif |title=UK climate information |publisher=Met Office |date=1 May 2014 |access-date=2 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304032633/http://www.metoffice.com/climate/uk/averages/19712000/rr/17.gif |archive-date=4 March 2010 }}</ref> The Isles of Scilly, for example, where there are on average fewer than two days of air frost per year, is the only area in the UK to be in the [[Hardiness zone]] 10. The islands have, on average, less than one day of air temperature exceeding 30&nbsp;°C per year and are in the AHS Heat Zone 1. Extreme temperatures in Cornwall are particularly rare; however, extreme weather in the form of storms and floods is common. Due to [[climate change]] Cornwall faces more heatwaves and severe droughts, faster coastal erosion, stronger storms and higher wind speeds as well as the possibility of more high-impact flooding.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The impact of climate change - Cornwall Council |url=https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment/climate-emergency/the-impact-of-climate-change/ |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=www.cornwall.gov.uk}}</ref>