The Caledonian Forest, also known as the Caledonian Pine Forest or Caledonia, is a type of woodland that once covered vast parts of Scotland. It is defined as forest composed of primarily Scots pine trees, along with birch, rowan and juniper. Some of the synonyms for Caledonian forest include ancient woodland, Scottish pine forest, boreal forest, and taiga forest. The Caledonian Forest is considered a vital habitat for many species including the Scottish wildcat, capercaillie, and red squirrel. Sadly, the Caledonian Forest has been reduced to a fraction of its former size due to deforestation, overgrazing, and urbanization. Efforts are being made to restore this important ecosystem to its former glory.