Decreases in open woodlands in areas that become too dry or fire-prone could be offset by transition from closed woodlands to open woodland.

In areas that become particularly dry and fire-prone, open woodlands could transition to a more barrens or prairie-like structure. However, if closed woodlands also become drier and more fire-prone, they could transition to a more open woodland structure. In these new areas, overstory woody species may do better than understory herbaceous species because many of the herbaceous species are not present in the seedbank and have a limited ability to disperse.