scrublands

Scrublands are dry, open landscapes in which shrubs and small trees form the dominant vegetation, often with a sparse ground layer of grasses and herbs. They occur in semi-arid and Mediterranean-type climates around the world, including parts of Africa, Australia, southern Europe, and the Americas. The flora is typically drought- and fire-adapted, with features such as sclerophyllous leaves, thick bark, and a capacity to resprout after disturbance. Soils are usually shallow and well-drained, with low to moderate fertility, and rainfall is seasonal with long dry periods.

The community structure and composition are shaped by climate and fire. Fire regimes maintain shrub-dominated stands by clearing competing vegetation and stimulating regeneration, while frequent, low-intensity fires favor resprouting species. Plants are often highly drought-tolerant and nutrient-conserving, with adaptations such as deep roots and seed protection. Faunal assemblages include birds, reptiles, insects, and small mammals that rely on dense shrub cover for shelter and foraging. Regional variants include chaparral in North America, maquis or garrigue in the Mediterranean, and fynbos or heathlands in southern Africa.

Human activities such as grazing, land conversion, mining, and suppression or alteration of fire regimes threaten scrublands by degrading soils and reducing biodiversity. Management commonly involves fire planning (prescribed burns), grazing control, invasive species management, and habitat restoration to reestablish native shrub communities. Many scrublands are protected in parks and reserves, and conservation programs emphasize maintaining natural fire cycles and the ecological roles of shrubs in sustaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.