treedominant

Treedominant is a term used in ecology, forestry, and landscape planning to describe a forest, woodland, or landscape in which trees are the predominant life form. In treedominant systems, trees account for the majority of aboveground biomass and canopy cover, shaping light regimes, soil processes, and habitat structure. The concept is often contrasted with shrub-dominated, herb-dominated, or open vegetation communities.

Measurement and thresholds: Treedominance is typically assessed with field inventory metrics such as canopy cover, basal area, and aboveground biomass. While thresholds vary by region and study, a common criterion is that tree cover constitutes the majority of canopy cover and biomass, supporting a continuous or layered canopy above other vegetation forms.

Ecological and practical significance: Treedominant landscapes influence microclimate, hydrology, and wildlife habitat; they support tall-canopy species and create shaded understories. They are central to forest management, urban forestry, and land-use planning, where the degree of tree dominance informs conservation priorities, risk assessments for pests or drought, and stormwater design. In urban contexts, treedominant areas can mitigate heat islands and improve air quality.

Related terms and variants: The term is related to classifications such as forest, woodland, or savanna, and to contrasts like shrub-dominated or herb-dominated ecosystems. It can be applied at multiple scales—from stand-level descriptions to regional land-cover classifications.