herbaceousdominated

Herbaceous-dominated is an ecological term used to describe plant communities in which non-woody vegetation accounts for the majority of ground cover or biomass, with trees and shrubs present but sparse or absent. The term is often used to distinguish these ecosystems from woody-dominated ones such as forests and woodlands. Herbaceous vegetation includes grasses, forbs, sedges, and other herbaceous life forms; their growth patterns and rooting traits influence nutrient cycling, fire regimes, and habitat structure.

Occurrence and drivers: Herbaceous-dominated communities occur in temperate grasslands and meadows, tundra and alpine zones, and many wetlands. Fire, grazing, soil fertility, and climate determine the balance between herbaceous cover and woody encroachment. Frequent fire or intense grazing tends to maintain herbaceous dominance by suppressing woody recruitment; conversely, fire suppression and wetter conditions can promote woody succession.

Measurement and dynamics: Researchers assess dominance by percent cover or biomass of herbaceous life forms relative to total vegetation. These communities can be resilient but vulnerable to diversity loss if disturbance regimes are altered. They may shift along a spectrum from completely herbaceous to increasingly woody as conditions change.

Examples and roles: Native prairies and many meadow ecosystems, alpine and tundra meadows, and herbaceous wetlands typify herbaceous-dominated systems. They support pollinators and herbivores, contribute to soil stabilization, and often store substantial soil carbon in roots and rhizomes.

Threats and management: Conversion to agriculture, overgrazing, invasive species, and climate change threaten herbaceous-dominated habitats, particularly where woody encroachment occurs. Restoration often uses prescribed fire, grazing management, and removal of woody vegetation to reestablish herbaceous structure.