Barren vegetation
Encyclopedia
The term Barren vegetation, or just barren, describes an area where plant growth is sparse, stunted, or possesses little biodiversity
. Poor growth may occur due to high winds, climate, salt spray, infertile or toxic soil, or heavy exploitation by man.
Barrens may look poor—with shrubs or moss instead of trees—but some have rare plant and animal species that can't compete in nutrient-rich environments. Many serpentine
barrens are known for unique assemblages of plant species. Some barrens, such as pine barrens
, are well-wooded with fairly tall trees, although the only plants present are those which are adapted to a low nutrient supply.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
. Poor growth may occur due to high winds, climate, salt spray, infertile or toxic soil, or heavy exploitation by man.
Barrens may look poor—with shrubs or moss instead of trees—but some have rare plant and animal species that can't compete in nutrient-rich environments. Many serpentine
Serpentine soil
A serpentine soil is derived from ultramafic rocks, in particular serpentinite, a rock formed by the hydration and metamorphic transformation of ultramafic rock from the Earth's mantle....
barrens are known for unique assemblages of plant species. Some barrens, such as pine barrens
Pine barrens
Pine barrens, pine plains, sand plains, or pinelands occur throughout the northeastern U.S. from New Jersey to Maine as well as the Midwest and Canada....
, are well-wooded with fairly tall trees, although the only plants present are those which are adapted to a low nutrient supply.
See also
- GeoponicGeoponicThe terms geoponic and geoponics refers to simple husbandry; where in agricultural practice it connotes the breeding and raising of animals.The terms geoponic and geoponics in farming practice, refer to growing plants in normal soil...
- AgrophysicsAgrophysicsAgrophysics is a branch of science bordering on agronomy and physics,whose objects of study are the agroecosystem - the biological objects, biotope and biocoenosis affected by human activity, studied and described using the methods of physical sciences....
- Index of soil-related articles
- Nitrogen cycleNitrogen cycleThe nitrogen cycle is the process by which nitrogen is converted between its various chemical forms. This transformation can be carried out by both biological and non-biological processes. Important processes in the nitrogen cycle include fixation, mineralization, nitrification, and denitrification...