France’s generally mild climate, ample rainfall, mixture of elevations, and long growing season, offer habitat for many species of plants and animals. Centuries of human settlement have profoundly altered the land and greatly reduced the number and variety of indigenous species. Conservation efforts in recent decades have helped protect valuable undeveloped areas that remain.The natural vegetation of France is closely related to climatic conditions. In the mountains, the highest elevations near the snow line consist of expanses of bare rock with only a few mosses and lichens growing in sheltered areas.