Topic summary
Xeric
Extracted from the Wikipedia article Deserts and xeric shrublands.
Woody plant encroachment
Xeric shrublands can experience woody plant encroachment, which is the thickening of bushes and shrubs at the expense of grasses. This process is often caused by unsustainable land management practices, such as overgrazing and fire suppression, but can also be a consequence of climate change. As a result, the shrublands' core ecosystem services are affected, including its biodiversity, productivity, and groundwater recharge. Woody plant encroachment can be an expression of land degradation.