| So much of our flora and fauna in the UK is in | | | | country to reduce costs, has led to motorway |
| decline, some suffering serious loss. This has not | | | | construction and much road widening. This in turn |
| happened all at once, but over the last fifty years. | | | | has meant the destruction of natural habitats and |
| The countryside is sadly very much reduced in | | | | more vital hedgerows. |
| common variety than it was back in the middle of | | | | More bad news in general for wildlife has been the |
| the last century. It is no surprise really as it is | | | | planting of pine tree forests, more especially in |
| mainly due to our collective lifestyle and desire for | | | | Wales and Scotland. |
| cheaper and cheaper food. This has led to larger | | | | Only specialised fauna can thrive in the |
| crop fields, meaning destruction of hedgerows, | | | | environment of this dark forest blanket. It is also |
| and use of more effective pesticides. | | | | much too dark and severe for plant life. |
| This in turn has led to less insect life, less | | | | The good news is that these facts have now |
| caterpillars for birds to feed their young. | | | | been recognized. There are moves, in some areas |
| Therefore a reduction in attractive moths and | | | | to replace the evergreens with native |
| butterflies and of course an absence of birdlife. | | | | broad-leaved trees. Although these trees will take |
| Less marginal field land has been left for wild | | | | alot of time to re-establish themselves and form |
| grasses and plants, and little left to thrive | | | | an ecosystem, they are much more wildlife |
| amongst the corn. We have upset the natural | | | | friendly, being more natural. |
| balance. | | | | They are also much more interesting to the |
| Our common "need" to get everywhere faster | | | | visitor or to the eye of the more distant |
| and to hurry the merchandise by road across | | | | observer. |