Shrublands

Shrublands are ecosystems in which woody shrubs dominate the vegetation, typically forming a dense yet open canopy with a ground layer of grasses and herbs. They occur in subtropical and temperate regions where rainfall is seasonal and summers are dry, and they are frequently shaped by fire. Soils are often shallow and nutrient-poor, with plants adapted to drought and nutrient-poor conditions.

Regional shrubland types include: in the Mediterranean basin and parts of California, chaparral and maquis (and garrigue in parts of the western Mediterranean); in South Africa, fynbos and renosterveld; and in Australia, sclerophyll shrublands such as kwongan and various mallee heath communities. Each type hosts unique assemblages of adapted plant species, many with high levels of endemism.

Ecologically, shrubs have adaptations such as sclerophyllous leaves, deep or extensive root systems, and strategies for post-fire regeneration, including resprouting from lignotubers or seed germination triggered by heat, smoke, or ash. Fire regimes—frequency, intensity, and seasonality—strongly influence the structure and species composition of shrublands.

Shrublands support a rich, though variable, biodiversity and provide ecosystem services such as soil stabilization, carbon storage, and habitat for birds and small mammals. They face threats from land conversion, grazing, invasive species, and climate change, which can alter fire regimes and reduce resilience.

Conservation efforts emphasize maintaining natural fire patterns, protecting representative shrubland types in reserves, restoring degraded areas, and controlling invasive species to preserve native plant and animal communities.