Satellite view of southeast England, United Kingdom Photograph by USGS   Western Europe: Southern England, United Kingdom Temperate Broadleaf and Mixed Forests   17,600 square miles (45,600 square kilometers) -- about twice the size of New Hampshire Critical/Endangered

· Limestone Hills
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Limestone Hills

This ecoregion encompasses most of the southern tip of England, including shoreline along the English Channel and the city of London. Most of this ecoregion lies on limestone hills, which support species of whitebeam trees that are endangered because of mining. Lowlands support beech and yew woodlands that span a variety of distinctive vegetation types reflecting differences in soil and topographical conditions.

Special Features

Three factors combine to produce this ecoregion: limestone soils, steady moisture, and moderate temperatures. Together, these factors provide conditions for the growth of forests dominated by beech and interspersed with yew and alder. Along waterways such as the Thames River, riverine forests provide another type of habitat where pure stands of yew occur and oak is less common than in other beechwoods. Uncommon or rare plants include red helleborine, coralroot bitter-cress, and bird's nest orchid. In some areas, woodlands occur as an intricate mosaic with lowland mixed deciduous woods. The majority of forest stands have a high canopy structure.

	The tidal Thames is often described as an "environmental superhighway." Its habitats support 116 different species of fish and 38 bird species, including redshanks, dunlins, teal, and ringed plovers. Each year, 10,000 waterfowl over-winter in and around the river. Dolphins and seals have also been found in the river on occasion.

Wild Side

Wide arrays of species depend on the habitats of this ecoregion. Otters, European water voles, water shrews, and birds such as ospreys and kingfishers depend on riverine habitat for their meals of fish and other aquatic animals. The forest floor and grasslands support a large, diverse rodent population that serves as the main food source for predatory birds, which include golden eagles and white-tailed eagles. Sparrowhawks feed on small birds that also flourish in this ecoregion, including winter wrens, sparrows, and starlings.

Cause for Concern

The loss of natural habitat is a major concern for this ecoregion, and air pollution may be causing a decline in beech trees by increasing the trees’ susceptibility to disease. The pollution may also be damaging epiphyte populations. Another threat is introduced species that are replacing native beech and yew woodland species. Other threats include intensified agriculture and fragmentation of habitat.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.