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Shrubland Ecosystem Facts & Worksheets

A shrubland is an ecosystem characterized by its large amount of shrub-like plants. A shrub is a plant smaller than a tree and has a woody appearance.

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A shrubland is an ecosystem characterized by its large amount of shrub-like plants. A shrub is a plant smaller than a tree and has a woody appearance. Shrublands exist all around the world, and their biodiversity varies.

See the fact file below for more information on the Shrubland Ecosystem, or you can download our 27-page Shrubland Ecosystem worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

SHRUBLAND AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS

  • Shrublands (also known as scrubland, heathland, or chaparral) are regions dominated by shrubs. 
  • Shrubs are low-lying plants. A single-stem shrub does not exceed 5 meters in height, while a multi-stemmed shrub can grow as high as 8 meters.
  • Woody shrubs, also known as bushes, are perennial, meaning they bloom annually (every year) without the need to plant new seeds.
  • Other plants, such as small trees, grasses, snags, and other herbaceous plants, also make up the structural composition of shrublands.
  • Most shrublands thrive in Mediterranean climates. They develop in mild and wet temperatures during winter and long and dry temperatures in summer. 
  • Shrublands are generally the result of ecological transition. These may have been due to the destruction of a more advanced ecosystem, such as forest fire, deforestation, and human activities like agriculture and livestock.
  • Shrublands can be temporary or permanent. They can be found in various regions of the world.
  • Shrublands receive more rain than deserts and grasslands. The rain is typically between 200 to 1,000 millimeters annually, less than in forested areas. Moreover, the rain in the shrublands is unpredictable as it varies every month.
  • Because of the low rain volume, shrublands cannot support tall trees. Meanwhile, grasses and other short plants grow between the shrubs because shrublands are quite open.

TYPES OF SHRUBLAND ECOSYSTEM

  • Although most shrublands are Mediterranean shrublands, shrublands also include the following types: desert shrublands, dwarf shrublands, and interior shrublands.
  • The first type is the Mediterranean shrublands (also known as the Chaparral biome), found along the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea,  Central Chile, California, the southwestern part of South Africa, and the southwestern parts of Australia.
  • Mediterranean shrublands are unique because they exist within coastal areas. These coastal areas have a high salt level in the air and soil. Mediterranean shrublands are also more elevated than the land surrounding them, which typically consists of deserts and temperate forests.
  • The climate in Mediterranean regions is wet during the low sun or winter period and hot and dry during the summer. The vegetation in the Mediterranean biome has already adapted to its weather conditions. 
  • The shrubs that dominate this region are stunted and tough enough to withstand drought. The shrubs in most Mediterranean biomes are evergreen and have small, leathery leaves (known as sclerophyllous) with thick cuticles. The leaves sometimes appear like a needle. Moreover, many shrubs are also aromatic and contain highly flammable oils. Examples are sage, rosemary, thyme, and oregano.
  • Mediterranean shrublands have other regional names: Maquis in Europe, North Africa, and Asia Minor; Matorral in Chile; and Mallee in Australia.
  • Mediterranean shrublands in Europe and Asia are abundant in cork-oak, olive, fig, and citrus fruits. On the other hand, the bulk of eucalyptus species is found in Australia.
  • The second type is called the desert shrublands, located in desert regions. The desert shrubland has a hot, humid climate with dry, sandy soils.
  • Desert shrublands have low productivity caused by their dry conditions, cold temperatures, high soil salinity, and short growing season. Bare ground is also common. Moreover, desert shrubland is also susceptible to water and wind erosion. 
  • Soil and plants in this shrubland have high selenium levels. Selenium is a toxic chemical element. 
  • Also, the shrubs in the desert grow deep roots to reach for water sources underground. They also have small or succulent leaves and thorns.  These plants adapt to the dry climate and the environment. Some plants, for instance, have thorns to protect them from grazing animals.
  • Saltbush is one of the most common plants in the desert shrubland. It holds large quantities of salt in its leaves. 
  • On the other hand, small mammals like mice, voles, chipmunks, kangaroos, rats, jackrabbits, etc., can be found in this biome. They have learned to adapt to the dry landscape of their surroundings. 
  • Reptiles like lizards and snakes survive in a desert ecosystem. They have thick, scaly skin and eggs, which minimize moisture loss and adapt to dry conditions. 
  • Desert shrublands can be found all over the world. The Atacama Desert and the desert around Baja, California are examples of desert shrublands.
  • The next type of shrubland is dwarf shrubland.
  • Chamaephytes are low-growing shrubs that bear perennating buds above the surface of the soil to minimize exposure to the wind. They form the dwarf shrublands.
  • Some of the plants also appear to cover the ground. These are known as creeping shrubs. 
  • Dwarf shrublands occur in the five regions of the world that have Mediterranean-type climates with wet winters and hot and dry summers. They also grow most commonly in areas that have high acid levels in the soil.
  • The vegetation types in dwarf shrubs include the maquis, garrigues, and the acid-loving dwarf shrubs of heathland and moorland. 
  • Maquis is a dense vegetation and has numerous closely-spaced shrubs. Maquis is characterized by siliceous soil. Because of that calcifuges (a plant that does not survive in alkaline soil) such as Erica and Calluna are found in the maquis.
  • Maquis also consists of holm oak.
  • Garrigue is present in southern France, Mediterranean forests, and woodlands. Garrigue is a widely-spaced bush. It is extensive and has open spaces. Hollyoaks, holm oaks, lavender, sage, rosemary, and wild thyme survive in this plant community.
  • Heathlands, on the other hand, is a wide-open landscape. Low-growing shrubs such as gorse, heather, and heathland grasses dominate this plant community. Heathlands are artificially created. They initially sprang from barren lands that were managed through cutting, grazing, and even burning. 
  • Finally, moorland, which means uncultivated hill land, thrives in upland areas with temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands. The vegetation in this plant community is low-growing and survives on acidic soil. Cottongrasses, green hairstreaks, bilberry, and heather are found in this vegetation. 
  • The last type of shrubland is the interior shrubland which occurs in semi-arid locations with nutrient-poor soil. They cover more area on the mountains and plateaus of Southwest America. 
  • Broad-leaved, evergreen shrubs with dense, compact crowns and extensive root systems dominate its vegetation.
  • The vegetation rapidly regrows after a fire. The plants sprout from below-ground structures and fire-stimulated germination of seeds.
  • Interior shrubland’s historical condition is poorly known despite being stable in its regional distribution. 
  • Intensive livestock grazing reduces the interior shrubland herbaceous cover, while fire exclusion increases its shrub cover.

COMMON PLANTS IN SHRUBLANDS

  • Numerous plants can survive in different types of shrublands. Here are the common plants found in this ecosystem. 
  • First is the broom bush commonly found in Western Australian rangelands. It grows up to 2.5m and branches densely from its base. The leaves of the broom bush appear cylindrical with a hooked point and can grow up to 2 cm long and about 1 mm wide. Its flowers are lilac that has purpose spots in the throat.
  • Next is the tall saltbush, a grey-green branched shrub that scrambles under the canopy of taller protective plants. Its leaves are spearhead-shaped and usually 2 cm long and 1 cm wide. Tall saltbush has very short waxy hairs on the leaves that give it its silver appearance.
  • There are also Frankenias that grow in saline areas. They are greenish-grey shrubs. The leaves are opposite each other and can grow as long as 3 mm and as wide as 1 mm. Frankenias grow up to 40 cm high and 60 cm wide. Their flowers have five pink, white, or cream petals.
  • Another is sage which is a dense shrub. The end of its twigs has blunt thorns. Sage can grow to 2m tall under optimal conditions. Its flowers are small white, daisy-like, and its leaves are not succulent. Its young shoots are often pale greenish-yellow.
  • The pearl blue bush, on the other hand, grows up to 1.5 m. It forms dense clumps that consist of many individual plants. Its leaves are 4-8 mm long and have rounded tips covered in short white hairs. Its flowers appear in late spring and do not always produce seeds. 

COMMON ANIMALS  IN SHRUBLANDS

  • Many wild animals inhabit the shrubland ecosystem.
  • First is the brown bear, which prefers to live along rivers and streams in meadows, woodlands, and forests. Brown bears are solitary and territorial animals. They are omnivores and can survive on food available depending on the season. They usually feed on the grass in shoots during spring and berries and apples in summer. 
  • Second is the cougar, also known as puma, Mountain lion, catamount, and panther. It is a large cat found in America and is the most common large wild terrestrial mammal. They can survive in montane coniferous forests, grassland, swamps, lowland tropical forests, and dry bush. They are carnivores and prey on live animals like sheep, calves, goats, etc.
  • Next is the moose or elk that live in northern North America. They can live near swamps, lakes, rivers, wetlands, lowlands, mountains, and farmland. They are solitary animals, and the herds only consist of two adults. They are herbivorous animals. Since they have poor eyesight, they only rely on their keen sense of smell. 
  • Hippos also inhabit shrubland ecosystems. They are social, nocturnal, and sedentary animals. Hippos are semiaquatic animals, but they are not good swimmers. They rarely enter deep waters and move by bouncing off the bottom. Hippos commonly feed on grass and have minimal consumption of aquatic plants. 
  • Despite being a transitional community, shrubland ecosystems are still abundant with plants and wild animals.

ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS TO SHRUBLANDS

  • Like other ecosystems, agriculture, livestock, human activities, and biodiversity are threats to shrubland ecosystems. 
  • Human activities widely contribute to the existence of shrublands. Because shrublands can be used as pasture or grazing areas, livestock animals destroy the plants at a fast rate. 
  • Humans that inhabit the area replace the native plants with more profitable crops like wheat and corn, which results in ecological degradation and prevents the shrubland from thriving. 
  • Also, when humans hunt for native animal species in the shrubland, the natural food chain becomes imbalanced. It causes damage and loss of biodiversity in shrublands. When one species is removed from the food chain because of extinction, it has widespread effects on the susceptibility of the ecosystem to disasters and failures.
  • Although it still rains in the shrublands, it is still insufficient. Therefore, shrubland ecosystems experience dry conditions. This dry condition of the shrublands can cause a wildfire, which can quickly spread because of running fields of shrubs and grasses susceptible to it.
  • Temperate shrublands are ideal for good pastures or croplands. As a result, they are turned into property for raising livestock and raising plants. This lessens the size of the shrublands and causes land loss.

Shrubland Ecosystem Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Shrubland Ecosystem across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Shrubland Ecosystems. A shrubland is an ecosystem characterized by its large amount of shrub-like plants.

Shrubland Ecosystem Worksheets
Shrubland Ecosystem Worksheets
Shrubland Ecosystem Worksheets

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Shrubland Ecosystem Facts
  2. True or False?
  3. Identification
  4. Which Shrubland?
  5. Flora and Fauna
  6. Shrubland Biodiversity
  7. Shrubland Slogan
  8. Shrubland and Grassland
  9. Shrubland Tracker
  10. Fire Effects in Shrubland
  11. Importance of Shrubland Ecosystem

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a shrubland ecosystem?

A shrubland ecosystem is a type of biome characterized by a community of shrubs, small trees, and grasses that have adapted to survive in regions with low rainfall and hot temperatures. They are typically found in regions with a Mediterranean climate or areas with long, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

What are some common examples of shrubland ecosystems?

Common examples of shrubland ecosystems include chaparral in California, maquis in the Mediterranean region, and fynbos in South Africa. Other examples can be found in Australia, South America, and parts of Asia.

What are some of the unique features of shrubland ecosystems?

Shrubland ecosystems have several unique features, including plant species that are adapted to dry conditions, such as drought-tolerant shrubs and grasses. Many of these plants have deep roots that can reach water stored in the soil or can store water in their leaves or stems. Some shrubland ecosystems also have frequent wildfires, which are important for maintaining the ecosystem by clearing out old growth and promoting new growth.

What types of animals can be found in shrubland ecosystems?

Shrubland ecosystems are home to a variety of animal species, including birds, reptiles, and mammals. Common examples include coyotes, foxes, rabbits, snakes, lizards, and birds such as quail and hawks. Some shrubland ecosystems also have unique species that are found only in that region.

How are shrubland ecosystems important to humans?

Shrubland ecosystems provide several important services to humans, including soil stabilization, water filtration, and carbon storage. They are also important for agriculture, as many crops are grown in areas with a Mediterranean climate. Additionally, shrubland ecosystems are important for recreation and tourism, as they offer scenic landscapes for hiking, camping, and wildlife watching.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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