ecosystems. Grazing by wild and domestic animals, fire, and in some regions the
direct influence of man form the landscape of the savanna and in some cases limit
succession to woodland.
For a long time, transition zones in space and intermediate succession stages,
especially shrub and fringe habitats, were disregarded in science. Today, however,
the value of these habitats is more widely appreciated. Scrub and heaths are
recognized as distinct and ecologically specialised ecosystems, often representing
a transition zone or succession stage, which thus play an important role in the
networking of different ecosystems (Rego et al. 2013). The habitat degradation
and loss which have occurred in the last decade highlight the importance of
protecting and restoring these habitats (Fagundez 2013).
Scrubs and heaths can be found all over the world, from polar regions to tropical
regions (Specht 1979a, b); they often occupy only small areas and show great
diversity from one region to another.
Table 1 Terms used for woody vegetation units of small and intermediate height
Habitat
Definition
References
Heath
Evergreen ericaceous dwarf shrub vegetation on
nutrient- poor soil, for example in temperate regions
of Europe. Mediterranean heaths are often dominated
by larger shrubs such as Cistus spp.
Specht (1979a, b), Janssen
et al. (2016)
Scrub
Vegetation type dominated by woody shrubs, often of
varying height and structure
Weber (2008)
Shrubland Vegetation dominated by woody shrubs mixed with
grasses and herbaceous plants on different soils
Weber (2008)
Savanna
A combination of a discontinuous tree layer and a
continuous layer dominated by grasses and/or herbs.
This term is rarely used in Europe even if related
vegetation units exist (e.g. dehesa)
Foxcroft and Richardson
(2010), Joffre et al. (1999)
Chaparral Evergreen shrub formation of SW North America
Hanes (1981)
Garrigue
Evergreen sclerophyllous low shrubs of the Mediterranean area forming an open canopy structure
Davies et al. (2004)
Macchia
Evergreen sclerophyllous shrubs of the Mediterranean area forming a closed canopy structure
Davies et al. (2004)
Mallee
“Is a colloquial name that is used to describe species
of Eucalyptus that have a low shrubby growth form”
Menkhorst and Bennett
(1989, p 39)
Kwongan Sclerophyllous shrub vegetation of Australia
Rea et al. (2011)
Matorral
Sclerophyllous shrub vegetation of Chile
Fuentes et al. (1986)
Cerrado
Biome in S America including various types of
grassland, savanna and woodland
Ratter et al. (1997)
Fynbos
Heathland of South Africa
Kruger (1979)
Heathland, Scrub and Savanna: Overview, Recent Trends and Outlook
363
direct influence of man form the landscape of the savanna and in some cases limit
succession to woodland.
For a long time, transition zones in space and intermediate succession stages,
especially shrub and fringe habitats, were disregarded in science. Today, however,
the value of these habitats is more widely appreciated. Scrub and heaths are
recognized as distinct and ecologically specialised ecosystems, often representing
a transition zone or succession stage, which thus play an important role in the
networking of different ecosystems (Rego et al. 2013). The habitat degradation
and loss which have occurred in the last decade highlight the importance of
protecting and restoring these habitats (Fagundez 2013).
Scrubs and heaths can be found all over the world, from polar regions to tropical
regions (Specht 1979a, b); they often occupy only small areas and show great
diversity from one region to another.
Table 1 Terms used for woody vegetation units of small and intermediate height
Habitat
Definition
References
Heath
Evergreen ericaceous dwarf shrub vegetation on
nutrient- poor soil, for example in temperate regions
of Europe. Mediterranean heaths are often dominated
by larger shrubs such as Cistus spp.
Specht (1979a, b), Janssen
et al. (2016)
Scrub
Vegetation type dominated by woody shrubs, often of
varying height and structure
Weber (2008)
Shrubland Vegetation dominated by woody shrubs mixed with
grasses and herbaceous plants on different soils
Weber (2008)
Savanna
A combination of a discontinuous tree layer and a
continuous layer dominated by grasses and/or herbs.
This term is rarely used in Europe even if related
vegetation units exist (e.g. dehesa)
Foxcroft and Richardson
(2010), Joffre et al. (1999)
Chaparral Evergreen shrub formation of SW North America
Hanes (1981)
Garrigue
Evergreen sclerophyllous low shrubs of the Mediterranean area forming an open canopy structure
Davies et al. (2004)
Macchia
Evergreen sclerophyllous shrubs of the Mediterranean area forming a closed canopy structure
Davies et al. (2004)
Mallee
“Is a colloquial name that is used to describe species
of Eucalyptus that have a low shrubby growth form”
Menkhorst and Bennett
(1989, p 39)
Kwongan Sclerophyllous shrub vegetation of Australia
Rea et al. (2011)
Matorral
Sclerophyllous shrub vegetation of Chile
Fuentes et al. (1986)
Cerrado
Biome in S America including various types of
grassland, savanna and woodland
Ratter et al. (1997)
Fynbos
Heathland of South Africa
Kruger (1979)
Heathland, Scrub and Savanna: Overview, Recent Trends and Outlook
363