Ecology and Vulnerability

Grasslands and shrublands: Shrublands

Shrublands are naturally rare in Massachusetts, where they generally occur in coastal areas and on rocky mountain summits. Old fields may take on shrubland characteristics but these are generally only transitional on the way to becoming forested habitats. As a result, shrubland birds such as rufous-sided towhees, whip-poor-wills, and brown thrashers are relatively uncommon and probably declining throughout the region. Powerlines are often the only places throughout much of the state that support shrubland habitat. The MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife actively manages its Wildlife Management Areas to create shrubland and early stage forest habitat to help support shrubland wildlife.