Woody plant encroachment

Woody plant encroachment is the expansion and increased density of woody plants, bushes, and shrubs at the expense of herbaceous vegetation and grasses, typically involving native species rather than invasive ones. It occurs mainly in grasslands, savannas, and woodlands, and can turn open landscapes into closed woodland over time. Causes include land use changes such as overgrazing, the suppression of natural fires, reduced numbers of browsing animals, and broader drivers such as rising atmospheric carbon dioxide and climate change, with effects on biodiversity and land productivity that vary by ecosystem. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/