Natural history of Scotland concerns theflora,fauna andmycota ofScotland.
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Theflora of Scotland is an assemblage of native plant species including over 1,600vascular plants, more than 1,500lichens and nearly 1,000bryophytes. 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 rarefern exist, although the impact of 19th century collectors threatened the existence of several species. The flora is generally typical of the north westEuropean part of thePalearctic realm and prominent features of theScottish flora includeborealCaledonian forest (much reduced from its natural extent), heathermoorland and coastalmachair.[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; aDouglas fir nearInverness is the tallest tree in theUnited Kingdom and theFortingall Yew may be the oldest tree in Europe. TheShetland mouse-ear andScottish primrose areendemic 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.
Thefauna of Scotland is generally typical of the north-westEuropean part of thePalearctic realm, although several of the country's largermammals were hunted toextinction in historic times.Scotland's diversetemperate environments support 62 species of wild mammals, including a population ofwild cats and important numbers ofgrey andharbour seals.[4][5]
Many populations ofmoorland birds, includingblackcock and the famousred grouse, live here, and the country has internationally significantnesting grounds forseabirds such as thenorthern gannet.[6] Thegolden eagle has become a national icon,[7] andwhite-tailed eagles andospreys have recentlyre-colonised the land. TheScottish crossbill is the onlyendemicvertebratespecies in theBritish 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.[9] Included in the country's ocean inventory are theDarwin Mounds, are an important area of cold water coral reefs discovered in 1988. Inland, nearly 400 genetically distinct populations ofAtlantic 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 arenative to Scotland, but many species ofinvertebrates live here that are otherwise rare in theUnited Kingdom (UK).[11] An estimated 14,000 species of insect, including rare bees and butterflies protected by conservation action plans inhabit Scotland.
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Approximately 1,650 species offungal species are found in Scotland.[12] The rarePhelloden confluens is found in five or fewer 10 km squares.[13]
Syringammina fragilissima is axenophyophore found off the coast ofScotland, nearRockall.[14] It is the largestsingle-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 of the natural environment is well developed and various organisations play an important role in the stewardship of the country's flora and fauna. Many agencies in the UK are concerned thatclimate change, especially its potential effects on mountainplateaus andmarine life, threaten much of the flora and fauna of Scotland.[17]
It is possible to viewwhales,dolphins,porpoise, andbasking sharks in their natural environment on boat tours of theHebridean waters. Other places which exhibit Scottish wildlife include:
