Woodland: Difference between revisions

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Ecologically, a '''woodland''' is a low-density forest forming open habitats with plenty of sunlight and limited shade. Woodlands may support an understory of [[shrubs]] and [[herbaceous plant]]s including [[grass]]es. Woodland may form a transition to [[shrubland]] under drier conditions or during early stages of [[primary succession|primary]] or [[secondary succession]]. Higher densities and areas of trees, with largely closed [[canopy (forest)|canopy]], provide extensive and nearly continuous shade are referred to as [[forest]].
Ecologically, a '''woodland''' is a low-density forest forming open habitats with plenty of sunlight and limited shade. Woodlands may support an understory of [[shrubs]] and [[herbaceous plant]]s including [[grass]]es. Woodland may form a transition to [[shrubland]] under drier conditions or during early stages of [[primary succession|primary]] or [[secondary succession]]. Higher densities and areas of trees, with largely closed [[canopy (forest)|canopy]], provide extensive and nearly continuous shade are referred to as [[forest]]. cooper you will fail


''Woodland'' is used in [[United Kingdom|British]] [[woodland management]] to mean any smaller area covered in trees, however dense. ([[Forest]] is usually used in the British Isles only for more extensive wooded areas, again, regardless of density – and also including [[Royal forest]]s, which may not be wooded at all). The term [[Ancient woodland|Ancient Woodland]] is used in British [[Conservation (ethic)|nature conservation]] to refer to any wooded land that has existed for a very long period (equivalent to the American term [[old growth forest]]).
''Woodland'' is used in [[United Kingdom|British]] [[woodland management]] to mean any smaller area covered in trees, however dense. ([[Forest]] is usually used in the British Isles only for more extensive wooded areas, again, regardless of density – and also including [[Royal forest]]s, which may not be wooded at all). The term [[Ancient woodland|Ancient Woodland]] is used in British [[Conservation (ethic)|nature conservation]] to refer to any wooded land that has existed for a very long period (equivalent to the American term [[old growth forest]]).

Revision as of 17:13, 16 February 2011

Ecologically, a woodland is a low-density forest forming open habitats with plenty of sunlight and limited shade. Woodlands may support an understory of shrubs and herbaceous plants including grasses. Woodland may form a transition to shrubland under drier conditions or during early stages of primary or secondary succession. Higher densities and areas of trees, with largely closed canopy, provide extensive and nearly continuous shade are referred to as forest. cooper you will fail


Woodland is used in British woodland management to mean any smaller area covered in trees, however dense. (Forest is usually used in the British Isles only for more extensive wooded areas, again, regardless of density – and also including Royal forests, which may not be wooded at all). The term Ancient Woodland is used in British nature conservation to refer to any wooded land that has existed for a very long period (equivalent to the American term old growth forest).

Woodlot is a closely-related American term, which refers to a stand of trees generally used for firewood. While woodlots often technically have closed canopies, they are so small that light penetration from the edge makes them ecologically closer to woodland than forest.

Woodland ecoregions

A woodland ecosystem at Morton Arboretum in Illinois.

Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands

Temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands

Montane grasslands and shrublands

Limber Pine woodland in the Toiyabe Range of central Nevada.

Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub

Mediterranean eucalypt forest in Australia.

Deserts and xeric shrublands

External links