Natural history of Scotland

Add links
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Natural history of Scotland concerns the flora, fauna and mycota of Scotland.

Part of a series on the
Biodiversity of Scotland
Biodiversity
Conservation
Special Areas of Conservation
Organisations
Wildlife Trusts
Areas
Natural history
Natural history


Flora

Main article: Flora of Scotland
The Birnam Oak located in the Tay Valley.

The flora of Scotland is an assemblage of native plant species including over 1,600 vascular plants, more than 1,500 lichens and nearly 1,000 bryophytes. The total number of vascular species is low by world standard but lichens and bryophytes are abundant and the latter form a population of global importance. Various populations of rare fern exist, although the impact of 19th century collectors threatened the existence of several species. The flora is generally typical of the north west European part of the Palearctic realm and prominent features of the Scottish flora include boreal Caledonian forest (much reduced from its natural extent), heather moorland and coastal machair.[1] In addition to the native varieties of vascular plants there are numerous non-native introductions, now believed to make up some 43% of the species in the country.[2][3]

There are a variety of important trees species and specimens; a

Shetland mouse-ear and Scottish primrose are endemic
flowering plants and there are a variety of endemic mosses and lichens. Numerous references to the country's flora appear in folklore, song and poetry.

Fauna

Main article: Fauna of Scotland

The fauna of Scotland is generally typical of the north-west

harbour seals.[4][5]

Many populations of

seabirds such as the northern gannet.[6] The golden eagle has become a national icon,[7] and white-tailed eagles and ospreys have recently re-colonised the land. The Scottish crossbill is the only endemic vertebrate species in the British Isles.[8]

Scotland’s seas are among the most biologically productive in the world; it is estimated that the total number of Scottish marine species exceeds 40,000.

Atlantic Salmon live in Scottish rivers.[10]
Of the 42 species of fish found in the country's fresh waters, half have arrived by natural colonisation and half by human introduction.

Only six amphibians and four land reptiles are

native to Scotland, but many species of invertebrates live here that are otherwise rare in the United Kingdom (UK).[11]
An estimated 14,000 species of insect, including rare bees and butterflies protected by conservation action plans inhabit Scotland.

Mycota

Approximately 1,650 species of

Phelloden confluens is found in five or fewer 10 km squares.[13]

Micro-organisms

single-celled organism known, at up to 20 centimetres (8 in) across[15] and was the first xenophyophore ever to be described after its discovery in 1882.[16]

Conservation organisations

marine life, threaten much of the flora and fauna of Scotland.[17]

Where to see Scottish wildlife

Sgor an Lochain Uaine from Braeriach

It is possible to view

Hebridean
waters. Other places which exhibit Scottish wildlife include:

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ "Flowering Plants and Ferns" Archived 2008-03-21 at the Wayback Machine SNH. Retrieved 26 April 2008
  2. ^ "Natural Heritage Trends. Species diversity: plant species" Archived 2008-12-01 at the Wayback Machine SNH. Retrieved 26 April 2008
  3. ^ "LICHENS: Biodiversity & Conservation" RBGE. Retrieved 26 April 2008
  4. ^ Matthews (1968) p. 254.
  5. ^ "animals". Scottish Natural Heritage. Archived from the original on 30 December 2006. Retrieved 1 January 2007.
  6. ^ Fraser Darling and Boyd (1969) pp. 7, 98–102.
  7. ^ Benvie (1994) p. 12.
  8. ^ Gooders (1994) p. 273.
  9. ^ "RSPB Scotland Parliamentary Briefing" (PDF). RSPB. Archived from the original (pdf) on September 30, 2007. Retrieved 16 February 2007.
  10. ^ "Protecting and Promoting Scotland's Freshwater Fish and Fisheries". Scottish Executive. Retrieved 13 January 2007.
  11. ^ Miles and Jackman (1991) p. 48.
  12. ^ "Fungi" SNH. Retrieved 26 April 2008
  13. ^ "Endangered fungus at Ayr Gorge Woodlands". (March 2008) Scottish Wildlife. No 64.
  14. ^ "As large as life". New Scientist. 2157. October 24, 1998.
  15. ^ Michael Marshall (February 3, 2010). "Zoologger: 'Living beach ball' is giant single cell". New Scientist.
  16. doi:10.1016/j.dsr.2004.06.004
    .
  17. ^ See for example Johnston, I. (29.11.2006) "Sea change as plankton head north'". Edinburgh. The Scotsman. This report quotes James Lovelock's concern that global warming will "kill billions" of people over the coming century.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Natural history of Scotland.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Natural_history_of_Scotland&oldid=1190253290"