Barren vegetation

Barren vegetation

Barren vegetation, often called "barren", is a term used to denote an area where plant growth is sparse, stunted, or possesses little diversity. Poor growth may occur due to high winds, salt spray, infertile or toxic soil, or heavy exploitation by man.

Barrens may look poor, with shrubs or moss instead of trees, but some of them have rare plant and animal species which cannot compete in nutrient-rich environments. Many serpentine barrens are known for their 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.


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  • Barren — as a place name can refer to: *Barren County, Kentucky *Barren Island (Andaman Islands) *Barren Island, Brooklyn *Barren River LakeBarren can also refer to: *Barren County (album) *Barren County Progress *Barren Realms Elite *Barren Strawberry… …   Wikipedia

  • Barren — Bar ren (b[a^]r ren), a. [OE. barein, OF. brehaing, fem. brehaigne, baraigne, F. br[ e]haigne; of uncertain origin; cf. Arm. br[ e]kha[ n], markha[ n], sterile; LL. brana a sterile mare, principally in Aquitanian and Spanish documents; Bisc.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Barren flower — Barren Bar ren (b[a^]r ren), a. [OE. barein, OF. brehaing, fem. brehaigne, baraigne, F. br[ e]haigne; of uncertain origin; cf. Arm. br[ e]kha[ n], markha[ n], sterile; LL. brana a sterile mare, principally in Aquitanian and Spanish documents;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Barren Ground bear — Barren Bar ren (b[a^]r ren), a. [OE. barein, OF. brehaing, fem. brehaigne, baraigne, F. br[ e]haigne; of uncertain origin; cf. Arm. br[ e]kha[ n], markha[ n], sterile; LL. brana a sterile mare, principally in Aquitanian and Spanish documents;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Barren Ground caribou — Barren Bar ren (b[a^]r ren), a. [OE. barein, OF. brehaing, fem. brehaigne, baraigne, F. br[ e]haigne; of uncertain origin; cf. Arm. br[ e]kha[ n], markha[ n], sterile; LL. brana a sterile mare, principally in Aquitanian and Spanish documents;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Barren Grounds — Barren Bar ren (b[a^]r ren), a. [OE. barein, OF. brehaing, fem. brehaigne, baraigne, F. br[ e]haigne; of uncertain origin; cf. Arm. br[ e]kha[ n], markha[ n], sterile; LL. brana a sterile mare, principally in Aquitanian and Spanish documents;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Barren-Ringelnatter — (Natrix natrix helvetica) Systematik Ordnung: Schuppenkriechtiere (Squamata) …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • barren — [bar′ən, ber′ən] adj. [ME barain < OFr baraigne, brehaigne, orig. used of land] 1. that cannot produce offspring; sterile [a barren woman] 2. not bearing or pregnant at the regular time: said of animals or plants 3. not producing crops or… …   English World dictionary

  • barren — ► ADJECTIVE 1) (of land) too poor to produce vegetation. 2) (of a female animal) unable to bear young. 3) bleak and lifeless. 4) (barren of) without. DERIVATIVES barrenness noun. ORIGIN …   English terms dictionary

  • barren — I. adjective Etymology: Middle English bareine, from Anglo French barain, perhaps of Celtic origin; akin to Middle Welsh brynar fallow land Date: 13th century 1. not reproducing: as a. incapable of producing offspring used especially of females… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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