Shrubland

Botanical Structural Form:
– Shrub defined as much-branched woody plant under 8m high
– Tall shrubs mostly 2-8m high, small shrubs 1-2m high
– Descriptive system in Australia based on plant life-form
– Shrubland can result from degradation of former forests
– WWF biomes characterized as shrublands include desert scrublands

Types of Shrublands:
– Desert scrublands occur in deserts and xeric ecoregions
– Mediterranean scrublands common in Mediterranean climate regions
– Interior scrublands occur in semi-arid areas with poor soils
– Dwarf shrubs include maquis, garrigues, and heathland species

Related Concepts:
– Fynbos
– Maquis
– Prostrate shrub
– Semi-desert
– Shrub-steppe

Notes and References:
– Merriam-Webster defines shrub
– Encyclopedia of deserts by Michael S. Mares
– Flora of New South Wales by Gwen J. Harden
– Native trees and shrubs of South-Eastern Australia by L. F. Costermans
– Resources on Mediterranean shrublands from WWF and Radford University