![]() Home Page |
Back To 'ALL ABOUT WALES' Index
The flora and fauna of Wales are generally the same as those of similar parts of Britain. Ferns and mosses are abundant in low-lying, wet areas; grasslands and then moorlands predominate at higher elevations. About 12 per cent of Wales is covered in woodlands, mainly in the uplands, at elevations up to 305 m (1,000 ft). Species include mountain ash, oak, and various conifers; large stands of fast-growing, commercial coniferous forests have been planted in the Welsh mountains since 1945, by both private owners and the Forestry Commission, a government department. Above 305 m (1,000 ft), there are mainly species of small shrubs, coarse grasses, and alpine flora. Among the few wild animals found in Wales, but not in England, are the pine marten and the polecat.