Editing British Isles (section)

==Flora and fauna==
{{See also|Fauna of Great Britain|Fauna of Ireland|List of trees of Great Britain and Ireland}}

[[File:Irl-female red deer Killarney.jpg|thumb|Red deer hinds in [[Killarney National Park]], Ireland]]

The islands enjoy a mild climate and varied soils, giving rise to a diverse pattern of vegetation. Animal and plant life is similar to that of the north-western [[European mainland]]. There are however, fewer numbers of species, with Ireland having even less. All native [[flora]] and [[fauna]] in Ireland is made up of species that migrated primarily from Great Britain. The only window when this could have occurred was prior to the melting of the [[ice bridge]] between the two islands 14,000 years ago approaching the end of the last ice age.

As with most of Europe, prehistoric Britain and Ireland were covered with forest and swamp. Clearing began around 6000 BC and accelerated in medieval times. Despite this, Britain retained its primeval forests longer than most of Europe due to a small population and later development of trade and industry, and wood shortages were not a problem until the 17th century. By the 18th century, most of Britain's forests were consumed for shipbuilding or manufacturing charcoal and the nation was forced to import lumber from Scandinavia, North America, and the Baltic. Most forest land in Ireland is maintained by state forestation programmes. Almost all land outside urban areas is farmland. However, relatively large areas of forest remain in east and north Scotland and in southeast England. Oak, elm, ash and beech are amongst the most common trees in England. In Scotland, pine and birch are most common. Natural forests in Ireland are mainly oak, ash, [[wych elm]], birch and pine. Beech and [[Tilia|lime]], though not native to Ireland, are also common there. Farmland hosts a variety of semi-natural vegetation of grasses and flowering plants. Woods, [[hedgerows]], mountain slopes and marshes host [[Calluna vulgaris|heather]], wild grasses, [[common gorse|gorse]] and [[Pteridium aquilinum|bracken]].

Many larger animals, such as wolves, bears and [[European elk]] are today extinct. However, some species such as red deer are protected. Other small mammals, such as [[European rabbit|rabbits]], [[red fox|foxes]], [[Eurasian badger|badger]]s, [[European hare|hare]]s, [[European hedgehog|hedgehog]]s, and [[stoat]]s, are very common and the [[European beaver]] has been reintroduced in parts of Scotland. [[Wild boar]] have also been reintroduced to parts of southern England, following escapes from boar farms and illegal releases. Many rivers contain [[European otter|otter]]s and [[grey seal|grey]] and [[common seal]]s are numerous on coasts. There are about 250 bird species regularly recorded in Great Britain, and another 350 that occur with varying degrees of rarity. The most numerous species are [[Eurasian wren|wren]], [[European robin|robin]], [[house sparrow]], [[woodpigeon]], [[common chaffinch|chaffinch]] and [[common blackbird|blackbird]].<ref>{{cite web |title=It's official – the Wren is our commonest bird |url=https://www.bto.org/press-releases/it%E2%80%99s-official-%E2%80%93-wren-our-commonest-bird |website=BTO |access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref> Farmland birds are declining in number,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnston |first1=Ian |title=Shocking declines in bird numbers show British wildlife is 'in serious trouble' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/uk-bird-numbers-species-declines-british-wildlife-turtle-dove-corn-bunting-willow-tits-farmland-a7744666.html |website=The Independent |date=19 May 2017 |access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref> except for those kept for game such as [[common pheasant|pheasant]], [[red-legged partridge]], and [[red grouse]]. Fish are abundant in the rivers and lakes, in particular salmon, trout, perch and [[Esox|pike]]. Sea fish include [[Squalidae|dogfish]], cod, [[sole (fish)|sole]], [[pollock]] and bass, as well as mussels, crab and oysters along the coast. There are more than 21,000 species of insects.

Few species of reptiles or amphibians are found in Great Britain or Ireland. Only three snakes are native to Great Britain: the [[Vipera berus|adder]], the [[barred grass snake]] and the [[Coronella austriaca|smooth snake]];<ref>{{cite web |year=2007 |title=Guide to British Snakes |url=http://www.wildlifebritain.com/britishsnakes.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308140526/http://www.wildlifebritain.com/britishsnakes.php |archive-date=8 March 2015 |access-date=17 August 2010 |publisher=Wildlife Britain}}</ref> none are native to Ireland. In general, Great Britain has slightly more variation and native wildlife, with weasels, [[European polecat|polecat]]s, wildcats, most [[shrews]], [[European mole|moles]], [[European water vole|water voles]], [[roe deer]] and common toads also being absent from Ireland. This pattern is also true for birds and insects. Notable exceptions include the [[Kerry slug]] and certain species of woodlouse native to Ireland but not Great Britain.

Domestic animals include the [[Connemara pony]], [[Shetland pony]], [[English Mastiff]], [[Irish Wolfhound]] and many varieties of cattle and sheep.