There is major debate on whether humans should manage the ecosystems or not.
Without the intervention of humans, succession would in many cases result in
woodland with lower species diversity (Maher et al. 2010). A mosaic of different
habitat types composed of half-open landscapes might be most successful with
respect to the conservation of high biodiversity. The conservation and management
of heathlands, savannas and shrubs should be considered a priority because these
landscapes are highly biodiverse and provide habitat for many endemic species.
Similar problems and threats seem to endanger the biodiversity of these habitats
all over the world.
The future of heathlands, savannas and shrublands is difficult to predict. They are
very dynamic ecosystems so it is possible that in some place these habitats will
disappear, and with them many plants and animals. The large number of critically
endangered species that live in shrublands and savannas highlights the importance of
these habitats. However, they require not only protection but also management.
A mosaic of different ecosystems, which must include heathlands, savannas and
shrubland, is important to assure high biodiversity.
References
Andren H (1997) Habitat fragmentation and change in biodiversity. Ecol Bull 46:171–181
Bhandari MM (2005) Shrubs - the saviours of desert ecosystem. In: Narain P, Singh M, Khan MS,
Kumar S (eds) Shrubs of Indian the arid Zone. Arid Agro-ecosystem Directorate Central. Arid
Zone Research Institute India, pp 5–15
Bigalke RC (1979) Aspects of vertebrate life in Fynbos, South Africa. In: Specht RL
(ed) Ecosystems of the world 9 A. Heathland and related shrublands. Descriptive studies.
Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 81–95
Bliss LC (1979) Artic heathland. In: Specht RL (ed) Ecosystems of the world 9 A. Heathland and
related shrublands. Descriptive studies. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 415–423
Boadi K, Kuitunen M, Raheem K, Hanninen K (2005) Urbanisation without development. environmental and health implications in African Cities. Environ Dev Sustain 7:465–500
Breckle SW (2007) Flora and Vegetation of Afghanistan. Basic Appl Dryland Res 1:155–194
Briggs JM, Knapp AK, Blair JM, Heisler JL, Hoch GA, Lett MS, McCarron JK (2005) An
ecosystem in transition: causes and consequences of the conversion of mesic grassland to
shrubland. Bioscience 55(3):243–254
Bruchmann I, Hobohm C (2010) Halting the loss of biodiversity. Endemic vascular plants in
grasslands of Europe. Grassland Sci 15:776–778
Burga CA (2011) Lebensräume Madagaskars – Übersicht zur aktuellen Flora und Vegetation.
Vierteljahrsschrift der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft in Zürich 156(1/2):1–11
Burrows CJ, McQueen DR, Esler AE, Wardle P (1979) New Zealand Heathland. In: Specht RL
(ed) Ecosystems of the world 9 A. Heathland and related shrublands. Descriptive studies.
Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 339–364
Cabanis Y, Chabouis L, Chabouis F (1969) Végétaux et groupements végétaux de Madagascar et
des Mascareignes. Tome 1–4. Bureau pour le développement de la production agricole, Tananarive. 1342
Chawla A, Rajkumar S, Singh KN, Lal B, Singh RD (2008) Plant species diversity along an
altitudinal gradient of Bhabha Valley in Western Himalaya. J Mt Sci 5:157–177
376
N. El Balti
Without the intervention of humans, succession would in many cases result in
woodland with lower species diversity (Maher et al. 2010). A mosaic of different
habitat types composed of half-open landscapes might be most successful with
respect to the conservation of high biodiversity. The conservation and management
of heathlands, savannas and shrubs should be considered a priority because these
landscapes are highly biodiverse and provide habitat for many endemic species.
Similar problems and threats seem to endanger the biodiversity of these habitats
all over the world.
The future of heathlands, savannas and shrublands is difficult to predict. They are
very dynamic ecosystems so it is possible that in some place these habitats will
disappear, and with them many plants and animals. The large number of critically
endangered species that live in shrublands and savannas highlights the importance of
these habitats. However, they require not only protection but also management.
A mosaic of different ecosystems, which must include heathlands, savannas and
shrubland, is important to assure high biodiversity.
References
Andren H (1997) Habitat fragmentation and change in biodiversity. Ecol Bull 46:171–181
Bhandari MM (2005) Shrubs - the saviours of desert ecosystem. In: Narain P, Singh M, Khan MS,
Kumar S (eds) Shrubs of Indian the arid Zone. Arid Agro-ecosystem Directorate Central. Arid
Zone Research Institute India, pp 5–15
Bigalke RC (1979) Aspects of vertebrate life in Fynbos, South Africa. In: Specht RL
(ed) Ecosystems of the world 9 A. Heathland and related shrublands. Descriptive studies.
Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 81–95
Bliss LC (1979) Artic heathland. In: Specht RL (ed) Ecosystems of the world 9 A. Heathland and
related shrublands. Descriptive studies. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 415–423
Boadi K, Kuitunen M, Raheem K, Hanninen K (2005) Urbanisation without development. environmental and health implications in African Cities. Environ Dev Sustain 7:465–500
Breckle SW (2007) Flora and Vegetation of Afghanistan. Basic Appl Dryland Res 1:155–194
Briggs JM, Knapp AK, Blair JM, Heisler JL, Hoch GA, Lett MS, McCarron JK (2005) An
ecosystem in transition: causes and consequences of the conversion of mesic grassland to
shrubland. Bioscience 55(3):243–254
Bruchmann I, Hobohm C (2010) Halting the loss of biodiversity. Endemic vascular plants in
grasslands of Europe. Grassland Sci 15:776–778
Burga CA (2011) Lebensräume Madagaskars – Übersicht zur aktuellen Flora und Vegetation.
Vierteljahrsschrift der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft in Zürich 156(1/2):1–11
Burrows CJ, McQueen DR, Esler AE, Wardle P (1979) New Zealand Heathland. In: Specht RL
(ed) Ecosystems of the world 9 A. Heathland and related shrublands. Descriptive studies.
Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 339–364
Cabanis Y, Chabouis L, Chabouis F (1969) Végétaux et groupements végétaux de Madagascar et
des Mascareignes. Tome 1–4. Bureau pour le développement de la production agricole, Tananarive. 1342
Chawla A, Rajkumar S, Singh KN, Lal B, Singh RD (2008) Plant species diversity along an
altitudinal gradient of Bhabha Valley in Western Himalaya. J Mt Sci 5:157–177
376
N. El Balti