an area where there is vegetation that is either a remnant of the natural vegetation of the land or if altered, is still representative of the structure and floristics of the natural vegetation. It applies to the whole ecosystem, which encompasses not only native vegetation but also the surface and subsurface soils, leaf litter, the seed bed etc.

The term bushland usually refers to an area that has only a sparse flora and fauna. This term was first used to describe the harsh Australian Outback, the red semi-desert that covers a significant part of the inner continent. The soil is usually very salty and therefore only specialized plants and animals can survive.