United States are dominated by sagebrush (Artemisia div. sp.), with Artemisia
tridentata one of the most widespread species (Davies et al. 2011). The relating
landscape units cover about 13.3–14.5% of the total shrubland area in the USA (Xian
et al. 2015).
The chaparral of California comprises shrublands under the influence of a
Mediterranean-type climate. Evergreen shrubs dominate, as in other Mediterranean
climate regions (Franklin et al. 2004; Hanes 1981). As part of the Mediterranean
biome this habitat is species rich and harbours many endemic plant species (Cowling
et al. 1996).
2.4 South America
In most regions of the continent and at all elevations below alpine zones woody
vegetation dominated by dwarf shrubs, shrubs or succulents represents transitions
between open vegetation and forest in space or time. Despite their species richness,
the savannas of South America receive less protection and management than the
Amazonian Forest (Ratter et al. 1997).
The Cerrado biome of Brazil covers about 23% of the country. The biome is
dominated by grassland, shrubland, woodland, various transition zones, and harbours South America’s most species-rich savanna (De Oliveira-Filho et al. 1989;
Ratter et al. 1997). Many reptiles and amphibian species are endemic to the Cerrado,
which also provides habitat for a great diversity of insect species (Klink and
Machado 2005) as well as critically endangered animals such as the blondtiti
monkey Callicebus barbarabrownae and glaucous macaw Anodorhynchus glaucus
(IUCN 2019).
The llanos of Columbia and Venezuela (Medina and Silva 1990) represents the
second largest savanna habitat of South America (Huber et al. 2006).
In Chile, species-rich evergreen shrubs form the matorral, which is comparable to
the chaparral in California (Jaksic and Fuentes 1980; Rundel 1977). This
sclerophyllous shrub habitat occurs in a Mediterranean-type climate. As part of the
Mediterranean biome the matorral harbours great biodiversity (Cowling et al. 1996).
Some heathland habitat also exists in South America. Wet heathland can be found
in Patagonia, where the vegetation is dominated by Empetrum rubrum (Moore
1979).
2.5 Oceania
In many regions of Australia climatic conditions and fire favour the development of
scrubs, heathlands and transitions to woodland.
The S and W of Australia with winter rain and summer drought is home to one of
the most species-rich biomes on Earth (Cowling et al. 1996). Kwongan and mallee
368
N. El Balti
tridentata one of the most widespread species (Davies et al. 2011). The relating
landscape units cover about 13.3–14.5% of the total shrubland area in the USA (Xian
et al. 2015).
The chaparral of California comprises shrublands under the influence of a
Mediterranean-type climate. Evergreen shrubs dominate, as in other Mediterranean
climate regions (Franklin et al. 2004; Hanes 1981). As part of the Mediterranean
biome this habitat is species rich and harbours many endemic plant species (Cowling
et al. 1996).
2.4 South America
In most regions of the continent and at all elevations below alpine zones woody
vegetation dominated by dwarf shrubs, shrubs or succulents represents transitions
between open vegetation and forest in space or time. Despite their species richness,
the savannas of South America receive less protection and management than the
Amazonian Forest (Ratter et al. 1997).
The Cerrado biome of Brazil covers about 23% of the country. The biome is
dominated by grassland, shrubland, woodland, various transition zones, and harbours South America’s most species-rich savanna (De Oliveira-Filho et al. 1989;
Ratter et al. 1997). Many reptiles and amphibian species are endemic to the Cerrado,
which also provides habitat for a great diversity of insect species (Klink and
Machado 2005) as well as critically endangered animals such as the blondtiti
monkey Callicebus barbarabrownae and glaucous macaw Anodorhynchus glaucus
(IUCN 2019).
The llanos of Columbia and Venezuela (Medina and Silva 1990) represents the
second largest savanna habitat of South America (Huber et al. 2006).
In Chile, species-rich evergreen shrubs form the matorral, which is comparable to
the chaparral in California (Jaksic and Fuentes 1980; Rundel 1977). This
sclerophyllous shrub habitat occurs in a Mediterranean-type climate. As part of the
Mediterranean biome the matorral harbours great biodiversity (Cowling et al. 1996).
Some heathland habitat also exists in South America. Wet heathland can be found
in Patagonia, where the vegetation is dominated by Empetrum rubrum (Moore
1979).
2.5 Oceania
In many regions of Australia climatic conditions and fire favour the development of
scrubs, heathlands and transitions to woodland.
The S and W of Australia with winter rain and summer drought is home to one of
the most species-rich biomes on Earth (Cowling et al. 1996). Kwongan and mallee
368
N. El Balti