Treelessness
Treelessness refers to landscapes that lack trees over large areas. It encompasses natural ecosystems where climatic or soil conditions prevent tree establishment as well as human-altered landscapes where tree cover has been removed. In ecology, treeless regions are often dominated by grasses, forbs, mosses, lichens, and low shrubs rather than woody plants.
Natural treeless environments include Arctic and alpine tundra above the timberline, temperate and tropical grasslands such
Ecological characteristics of treeless regions include relatively low mean annual precipitation, a short growing season, and
Causes and dynamics of treelessness arise from natural factors such as temperature extremes, frost, drought, permafrost,
Human uses and conservation concerns center on grazing and pastoral livelihoods, scientific research, and protected areas