The UK was approximately 98% forest before man settled. At the start of the 1900's most of the forest had gone; only 5% of the UK was forest. Now, at the beginning of the 21st century, this figure is back up to 12%, but only 2% of the UK is covered in native species, the remainder being covered in fast growing conifers for the timber trade. Much of the UK's indigenous wildlife is unable to survive in these conifer forests, hence the importance of increasing the coverage of native trees.