Editing Northern Ireland (section)

===Flora and fauna===

Until the end of the [[Middle Ages]], the land was heavily forested. Native species include [[deciduous]] trees such as [[oak]], [[Fraxinus excelsior|ash]], [[Corylus avellana|hazel]], [[birch]], [[Alnus glutinosa|alder]], [[willow]], [[Populus tremula|aspen]], [[Wych elm|elm]], [[Sorbus aucuparia|rowan]] and [[Crataegus monogyna|hawthorn]], as well as [[evergreen]] trees such [[Scots pine]], [[Taxus baccata|yew]] and [[Ilex aquifolium|holly]].<ref>[https://www.treecouncil.ie/native-irish-trees Native Species] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409023345/https://www.treecouncil.ie/native-irish-trees |date=9 April 2022 }}. [[Tree Council of Ireland]].</ref> Today, only 8% of Northern Ireland is woodland, and most of this is non-native [[conifer]] [[plantation]]s.<ref>[https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/documents/5189/WAPR2018_sUui5YW.pdf "Woodland Area, Planting and Publicly Funded Restocking – 2018 Edition"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130053721/https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/documents/5189/WAPR2018_sUui5YW.pdf |date=30 January 2019 }}. [[Forestry Commission]].</ref>

As of the 21st century, Northern Ireland is the least forested part of the United Kingdom and Ireland, and one of the least forested countries in Europe.<ref>[https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/mediafile/100821804/10664-ni-welcome-leaflet-update-final-dec-2017.pdf Welcome to the Woodland Trust in Northern Ireland] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130053159/https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/mediafile/100821804/10664-ni-welcome-leaflet-update-final-dec-2017.pdf |date=30 January 2019 }}. [[Woodland Trust]], December 2017.; [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-14381277 "Trust's fears for Northern Ireland tree cover"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201180746/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-14381277 |date=1 February 2019 }}. [[BBC News]], 2 August 2011.</ref>

The only native reptile in Northern Ireland is the [[viviparous lizard]], or common lizard, which is widely distributed, particularly in heaths, bogs and sand dunes. The [[common frog]] is a very widespread species.&nbsp;Some lakes support internationally important bird populations, [[Lough Neagh]] and [[Lough Beg]] hold up to 80,000 wintering waterfowl of some 20 species, including [[duck]]s, [[geese]], [[swan]]s and [[gull]]s. The [[Eurasian otter|otter]] is the fourth largest land mammal in Northern Ireland. It can be found along the river systems, although it is seldom seen and will avoid contact with humans.<ref name="Trust">{{Cite web |title=Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara) |url=https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/species-northern-ireland |access-date=23 July 2023 |website=Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs |date=21 August 2015 |archive-date=23 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723105103/https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/species-northern-ireland |url-status=live }}</ref> 356 species of marine [[algae]] have been recorded in the northeast of Ireland; 77 species are considered rare.<ref>Morton, O. 1994. ''Marine Algae of Northern Ireland''. Ulster Museum. {{ISBN|0-900761-28-8}}</ref>