MODULE 5

PEOPLE, GRASSLAND AND SCRUB

OBJECTIVES:

• Classify the different grassland biomes.

• Understand the importance of grassland and scrub to wildlife and humans.
• Familiarize students with the management and maintenance of grassland
and scrub biome.

Scrub can be valuable for a wide range of wildlife, providing a continued source of
nectar, fruits, seeds, shelter, breeding, and roosting sites. A stand of scrub with varied plant
species, age and structure will support a great variety of species.

By ensuring that scrub – the transitory stage between open habitats such as
grassland and closed canopy woodland - is part of your habitat mosaic you will be providing
food and shelter for invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds.

IMPORTANCE OF SCRUB FOR WILDLIFE

INVERTEBRATES
Some tall herbs, often associated with scrub edge, are vital to many grassland
invertebrates that need nectar-rich shrubs to complete their lifecycles. Species such as
blackthorn, hawthorn, bramble, and herbs provide early pollen and nectar, as well as
foraging habitat for herbivorous and predatory invertebrates in both adult and larval stages.
Standing and fallen dead timber is valuable habitat for fungi and wood-boring insects.

AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES

Amphibians and reptiles prefer south facing areas of scrub for basking and
hibernation sites, for example south facing heathland gorse scrub edges provide basking
for adders. Scrub can also be used as a wildlife corridor to link habitats such as wetland
areas for amphibians.

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BIRDS AND MAMMALS
Scrub is commonly used by birds such as bullfinch, yellowhammer, linnet, willow
warbler, wren, blackbird, dunnock, long-tailed tit and turtle dove. Coastal scrub is important
for migratory birds such as redwing, fieldfare, and waxwing, which use scrub as a ‘feeding
station’. Fruits and seeds are a particularly important feature of scrub which provides
autumn and winter food for resident and migrant birds and mammals.

Certain species will show preferences for certain structures of scrub for example
yellowhammer and linnet nest in low, dense scrub edges that are thick at the base, whereas
song thrush nest in thick cover, preferring mature scrub, and feed in short marginal
vegetation.

Raptors will often use scrub for roosting in winter and hunting small birds and
mammals. Long-eared owl will utilize the old nests of magpie in denser scrub areas.
Nightingale are summer visitors (mid-April – August) and restricted to the southern and
eastern counties of England. Scrub has become increasingly important for nightingale,
preferring thickets of dense scrub such as blackthorn and bramble, with a margin of rough
grass.

SCRUB MANAGEMENT
Since scrub is a transitory habitat, it needs management to maintain it otherwise it
will develop into woodland or can become invasive and reduce the biodiversity of a site.
Initially it is important to look at a site and plan how it is going to be managed to ensure a
balance with other features of the site such as open habitat, species of conservation
importance or geological features.

Work on scrub is best carried out in the autumn/winter, ideally early February, and
should never be done during the bird nesting season (March – July). Work on berry-bearing
scrub is best delayed until after December, leaving valuable autumn and winter fruits and
seeds as food for wildlife.

Improvement – Increased biodiversity is associated with larger areas of well-

managed scrub.

If a site does not have much scrub, creating it through natural regeneration or
planting can improve the variety of wildlife in the area. When planting, try to create a natural,

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uneven spread of planting with a mix of species and plenty of edges, which are an important
part of scrub.

When planning to increase the amount of scrub it is important not to create scrub
at the expense of other existing high value habitat such as herb-rich grassland. Where a
stand of scrub does not attract a great variety of wildlife, the aim of managing the scrub
should be to improve its value for wildlife. This can be done by increasing the variety of
species and structure, encouraging natural regeneration and by rotational cutting to
increase the age range within the scrub.

Generally, it is advised that species of local provenance are used for supplementary
planting. The ideal outcome is a mosaic of scrub stands of varying age and size structure
with associated open habitat, which in turn will increase the diversity of the associated plant
and animal communities.

Farmers/landowners who apply for Natural England’s Environmental Stewardship

Scheme could receive payment for the restoration or creation of a succession of scrub
habitat for specific target species such as the dormouse, song thrush or turtle dove. Scrub
creation is particularly aimed at sites where target species already exist and where the site
is adjacent to existing areas of scrub or woodland.

MAINTENANCE – Where a site has enough scrub in good condition it is important

to maintain its wildlife value by keeping a variety of stages of growth.

Because scrub is a transitory habitat and readily colonizes unmanaged open

habitat, it is typically strong growing with a dense structure. However, if allowed to grow
unchecked scrub gradually develops a woodland structure. Growth tends to become leggy
and single stemmed; the understory is shaded out and the thicket qualities of the scrub are
then lost.

By rotationally coppicing blocks of scrub and allowing them to re-grow, the scrub’s
characteristic thicket structure is rejuvenated and maintained.

Scrub typically matures at about 15 years, so coppicing 1/15th every year, i.e. a 15-
year rotation, is a good rule of thumb; alternatively cutting 2/15th every other year or 3/15th
every third year.

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 Where scrub is almost entirely composed of bramble, the rotation can be shorter,
between 5-6 years (i.e. a fifth or sixth each winter) to provide a mosaic of bramble at
different stages of growth.

In any event always try to avoid cutting adjacent patches sequentially in order not
to reduce foliage for invertebrates to feed on. Rough grassland fringes and damp ditch
banks benefit from a shorter ‘cut and rake’ rotation cycle of 2-3 years where a half or a third
is cut in late summer/autumn. Try to integrate this with the coppicing cycle i.e. cut and rake
the edge of a block that you are coppicing in the same year.

Rotational cutting of bramble, marginal rough grass and tall herbs will increase the
age ranges within the scrub and give diversity in structure, which in turn will increase the
diversity of the associated wildlife. Aim to create long edges which are sunny and sheltered
and a scrub mosaic effect with rides and glades. Edges are particularly important for wildlife
because they have flowering plants, which provide continued nectar for invertebrates, fruits
and seeds for birds and mammals, shelter and nest sites and hunting grounds for raptors.

Brash can be used to create habitat piles within the scrub. Limit the number of piles
and once these are established as part of the rotation, use the same locations in future
years.

Livestock can be allowed rotational access to rougher grass alleviating the need to
cut and rake. Care should be taken that no toxic weeds are in rougher areas/scrub and that
livestock does not push into, or become caught up in, the scrub edge– for example sheep
can become trapped by their fleeces in bramble.

REDUCTION – If scrub is encroaching on to habitats of higher conservation value, for

example unimproved grassland, it may be necessary to reduce the amount of scrub. The
effect of scrub encroachment on, for example, geological and historical features of a site
should also be considered. Once the extent of the scrub has been reduced, remaining
scrub will need to be maintained to preserve the balance between scrub and open habitat.

ERADICATION – Where scrub composition is predominantly invasive/non-native species

and is damaging other habitats, for example rhododendron or Japanese knotweed or
snowberry eradication may be desirable. Complete eradication is difficult and will require
several years of management tailored to preventing re-growth.

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TECHNIQUES USED FOR MANAGING SCRUB
There are several ways to manage scrub and methods will vary according to the
aims of management and the species for which it is being managed.

Planting and sowing – for improvement

Natural regeneration should be encouraged but for quick results plant with whips of
local provenance and from a sustainable source.

MANUAL/MACHINERY – for improvement, maintenance, reduction, or eradication

Whether hand tools or large-scale machinery is used for scrub management will
depend on the extent of the scrub and site ground conditions. It is important to use tools
appropriate to the task and ground conditions, ranging from handheld tools, mower,
chainsaw, to tractor-mounted hedge cutters or excavators.

Where the surrounding habitat is fragile, for example herb-rich grassland or wet
ground, machinery may not be feasible or advisable.

GRAZING – for maintenance, reduction, or eradication

Grazing improves and maintains the edges of scrub and helps with its reduction
and eradication. The results will largely depend on the type of livestock used and the
palatability of the scrub species. Grazing requires careful monitoring because if it becomes
too intense, scrub structure can change through over-grazing of palatable plants and
fencing may be necessary to avoid an adverse impact on species such as nightingale.
Livestock should not be used for managing /eradicating scrub that contains species that
are toxic – for example rhododendron.

THE GRASSLAND BIOME HABITAT

The grassland biome includes terrestrial habitats that are dominated by grasses
and have relatively few large trees or shrubs. There are three main types of grasslands—
temperate grasslands, tropical grasslands (also known as savannas), and steppe
grasslands.

GRASSLAND BIOME KEY CHARACTERISTICS

The following are the key characteristics of the grassland biome:

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 • Vegetation structure that is dominated by grasses
• Semi-arid climate
• Rainfall and soils insufficient to support significant tree growth
• Most common at mid-latitudes and near the interiors of continents
• Grasslands are often exploited for agricultural use

CLASSIFICATION

The grassland biome is divided into the following habitats:

TEMPERATE GRASSLANDS: Temperate grasslands are dominated by grasses, lacking

trees, and large shrubs. Temperate grasslands include tall-grass prairies which are wet
and humid, and dry, short-grass prairies that experience hot summers and cold winters.
The soil of temperate grasslands has a nutrient-rich upper layer, but fires that prevent trees
and shrubs from growing often accompany seasonal droughts.

TROPICAL GRASSLANDS: Tropical grasslands are located near the equator. They have
warmer, wetter climates than temperate grasslands and experience more pronounced
seasonal droughts. Savannahs are dominated by grasses but also have some scattered
trees. Their soil is very porous and drains rapidly. Tropical grasslands are found in Africa,
India, Australia, Nepal, and South America.

Steppe grasslands: Steppe grasslands border on semi-arid deserts. The grasses found
in the steppe are much shorter than those of temperate and tropical grasslands. Steppe
grasslands lack trees except along the banks of rivers and streams.

SUFFICIENT RAINFALL

Most grasslands experience a dry season and a rainy season. During the dry season,
grasslands can be susceptible to fires, which often start as a result of lightning strikes. The
annual rainfall in a grassland habitat is greater than the annual rainfall that occurs in desert
habitats, and while they receive enough rain to grow grasses and other scrubby plants, it's
not enough to support the growth of significant numbers of trees. The soils of grasslands

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also limit the vegetation structure that grows in them. Grassland soils are generally too
shallow and dry to support tree growth.

VARIETY OF WILDLIFE

Some common plant species that occur in grasslands include buffalo grass, asters,
coneflowers, clover, goldenrods, and wild indigos. Grasslands support a variety of animal
wildlife as well, including reptiles, mammals, amphibians, birds, and many types of
invertebrates. The dry grasslands of Africa are among the most ecologically diverse of all
grasslands and support populations of animals such as giraffes, zebras, and rhinoceroses.
The grasslands of Australia provide habitat for kangaroos, mice, snakes, and a variety of
birds. The grasslands of North America and Europe support wolves, wild turkeys, coyotes,
Canadian geese, cranes, bobcats, and eagles. Additional grassland wildlife includes:

African elephant (Loxodonta africana): The two front incisors of African elephants grow
into large tusks that curve forward. They have a large head, large ears, and a long muscular
trunk.

Lion (Panthera leo): The largest of all African cats, lions inhabit savannas and the Gir
Forest in northwest India.

American bison (Bison bison): Millions used to roam North America's grasslands, boreal
regions, and scrublands but their relentless slaughter for meat, hides, and sport drove the
species to the brink of extinction.

Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta): Inhabits of the grasslands, savannas, and semi-deserts
of sub-Saharan Africa, hyena’s have the highest population density in the Serengeti, a vast
plains ecosystem stretching from northern Tanzania to southwestern Kenya.

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HUMAN IMPACT ON THE GRASSLANDS

THIS IS A POWER PLANT ON A GRASSLAND photo courtesy of mset.rst2.edu

• Grasslands are sadly being threatened by human impacts. They are disappearing
due to dividing up the land for farming and urban development. Dividing up the
land for farming is bad because the animals of the grasslands do not have any way
to move around.
• 25% of grasslands have disappeared because of people building power plants,
cities, schools, roads, permanent homes (also known as urban development).
• Prairie animals are also being endangered. For example, farmers think that prairie
dogs are pests because they burrow and can cause injury to cattle and horses.
Farmers kill them even though it is illegal.
• In the tropical grasslands, people are illegally poaching endangered animals. For
example, people are poaching tigers, elephants, and leopards and more
endangered animals like that.
• People tour the tropical grasslands and watch the animals. The animals are
developing behavior problems due to being observed for long periods. Plus, the
cars the people are touring in have a pollution effect on the tropical grasslands.

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THIS USED TO BE A GRASSLAND, BUT NOW IT'S COVERD WITH BUILDINGS photo
courtesy of SpeciesRisk_Graph_p11

THIS PERSON IS DEALING WITH A POACHED TIGER PELT photo courtesy of techno-
trades.com

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HOW YOU CAN HELP?

RECYCLING SIGN photo courtesy of pixmac.com

You can help the grasslands by biking to school and recycling items such as paper, plastic
bags/bottles, and paper bags. You can also help by getting your family members to drive
fewer miles in the car. If it is a short distance and nice weather, it would be a good idea to
walk or bike wherever you are going. Remember, if you see litter, pick it up.

ACTIVITY: PEOPLE, GRASSLAND AND SCRUB

1. Choose one from the impacts of humans on grassland biomes and discuss.
2. Give an example in the Philippine/local setting. Include the location and
explain how humans has affected the biome.

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