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Woodland

Adapted from Wikipedia · Adventurer experience

A peaceful view of the Cumberland Plains Woodland in New South Wales, showing natural vegetation and open landscape.

A woodland is a type of land covered with trees and shrubs. In some places, “woodland” means the same as “wood” or “woods.” This describes a forest that is not very thick. These areas let in lots of sunlight because the trees are spread out.

Woodlands can have plants growing under the trees, like shrubs and grasses. Sometimes, when it is dry or when a forest is just starting to grow again, woodlands can change into areas mostly filled with shrubs.

Many people work to protect woodlands. This is because cities and farming can sometimes take away woodlands. For example, the woodlands in Northwest Indiana have been saved. They are now part of the Indiana Dunes.

Definitions

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, woodland means areas covered with trees that grew naturally and are cared for by people. The word forest is often used for large planted areas or special hunting lands, which might not even have trees. An ancient woodland is a special type of wooded area that has been around since the year 1600, and often much longer, since the time of the last Ice Age.

North America

In North America, woodland describes places where trees are spaced out, allowing more sunlight than a forest but more shade than a savanna. These areas are home to many plants and animals. In central North America, oak trees are very common in woodlands. These areas need regular fires to keep their variety of life healthy. Woodlands were once very common, but now they are mostly found where controlled burns happen often or where the soil is poor and dry.

Australia

In Australia, a woodland is an area with a thin layer of trees covering about 10 to 30 percent of the land. Open woodlands have even fewer trees.

Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrub lands

Main article: Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands

Temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands

Main article: Temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands

Montane grasslands and shrublands

Main article: Montane grasslands and shrublands

Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub

Main article: Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub

Deserts and xeric shrublands

Main article: Deserts and xeric shrublands

Images

A peaceful woodland area in Bogside, showing trees and natural scenery.
A beautiful Miombo forest in the Northern Nyika region of Malawi, showing tall trees and natural vegetation typical of the area.
A beautiful open woodland in Northern Illinois, featuring grasses and wildflowers growing under the trees.
A beautiful Limber Pine woodland in the Toiyabe Range of central Nevada, showcasing nature at a high altitude.
A natural landscape showing mallee trees and heath plants in Clyde Hill Nature Reserve, Western Australia.
A beautiful cedar forest in Lebanon, home to the famous Cedars of God.
A peaceful view of the Sahel forest near Kayes, Mali, showing rolling hills, acacia trees, and a large baobab tree along a paved road.

Related articles

Sunlight
Palearctic realm
Sudan
North America
Australia
Angola

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Woodland, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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