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Chaparral shrublands need to be recognized, analyzed, and managed
as a distinct category (not combined with forests).  Shrublands
have substantially different ecosystem structure and natural fire
regimes, historically greater wildfire frequency due to human
ignitions, strategies for wildland-urban risk reduction and for
habitat restoration, lack of harvest and commercial markets, and
different carbon sequestration and climate resilience. Shrublands
account for a large percent of natural lands in California, both in
southern California (where I reside and work) and in foothills
adjacent to most forested areas.  If shrublands are combined with
forests, the vegetation strategies will result in loss of shrubland
acreage, ecosystem values, and public benefits.  

Anne Fege, retired Forest Supervisor, Cleveland National Forest;
Adjunct Professor, Department of Biology, San Diego State
University; Ph.D., College of Forestry, University of Minnesota;
Master of Forest Science, Yale University.