Shrubs play an important role as understory in forests and other ecosystems as they provide important forage and habitat for a variety of animals. A lot of shrubs in the Chilcotin Ark produce edible fruits which have been used for food by animals and first nation people for centuries. The most important shrubs in the Chilcotin Ark are the Soopolallie bush, Choke Cherry, Thimbleberry, Kinnikinnick, common juniper, blueberry, huckleberry, heather, big sagebush and false azalea.