TemperateShrub land(Chaparral)

Biome

Geographic distributionWestern coasts of North and South America, areas around

the Mediterranean Sea, South Africa, and Australia

Between 30-50o N

Between 30-40o S

Basic CharacteristicsBasic Characteristics• Semiarid climate, mix of shrub Semiarid climate, mix of shrub

communities and open woodlands. communities and open woodlands.

• Open woodlands: Large areas of grasses Open woodlands: Large areas of grasses and wildflowers such as poppies and wildflowers such as poppies interspersed with oak trees. interspersed with oak trees.

• Communities dominated by shrubs: also Communities dominated by shrubs: also known as chaparral. known as chaparral.

• Growth of dense, low plants that contain Growth of dense, low plants that contain flammable oils makes fires a constant flammable oils makes fires a constant threat. threat.

Basic CharacteristicsBasic Characteristics• Plant community in which shrubs are dominant. Plant community in which shrubs are dominant.

• Occurs usually in regions having from 10 to 20 Occurs usually in regions having from 10 to 20 in. (25-50 cm) of rainfall annually and with a in. (25-50 cm) of rainfall annually and with a Mediterranean-type climate. Mediterranean-type climate.

• Rate of evaporation is high, chaparral may be Rate of evaporation is high, chaparral may be found where the rainfall is well above 20 in.found where the rainfall is well above 20 in.

• Generally chaparral country has most of its Generally chaparral country has most of its rainfall in the winter. rainfall in the winter.

• The vegetation includes both evergreen and The vegetation includes both evergreen and deciduous forms, the dominant species varying deciduous forms, the dominant species varying in different areas.in different areas.

What Chaparral is NotWhat Chaparral is Not• It is NOT a plant, a herb sold in health It is NOT a plant, a herb sold in health

food stores (they're actually selling ground food stores (they're actually selling ground up leaves from the creosote bush...a up leaves from the creosote bush...a desert plant), or a 1960's television show.desert plant), or a 1960's television show.

• It does NOT need fire to remain a healthy It does NOT need fire to remain a healthy plant community.plant community.

• It does NOT exist in Texas.It does NOT exist in Texas.

• It has NOT become overgrown due to fire It has NOT become overgrown due to fire suppression.suppression.

What Chaparral is:What Chaparral is:• California's most extensive, native California's most extensive, native

plant community.plant community.

Abiotic factorsAbiotic factors• Hot, dry summersHot, dry summers

• Cool, moist wintersCool, moist winters

• Thin, nutrient-poor soilsThin, nutrient-poor soils

• Periodic firesPeriodic fires

Climatograph

Biotic Factors Biotic Factors Dominant Plant TypesDominant Plant Types• Woody evergreen shrubs with Woody evergreen shrubs with

small, leathery leavessmall, leathery leaves

• Fragrant, oily herbs that grow Fragrant, oily herbs that grow during winter and die in summer during winter and die in summer

ExamplesExamples• Blue Oak Blue Oak

• Coyote Brush Coyote Brush

• Common Common Sagebrush Sagebrush

• Fairy Duster Fairy Duster

• French Broom French Broom

• King Protea King Protea

• Lebanon Cedar Lebanon Cedar

• Manzanita Manzanita

• Mountain Mountain Mahogany Mahogany

• Saltmarsh Bird's Saltmarsh Bird's Beak Beak

• Olive Tree Olive Tree

• Torrey Pine Torrey Pine

Biotics: Dominant AnimalsBiotics: Dominant Animals• Predators such as coyotes, foxes, bobcats, Predators such as coyotes, foxes, bobcats,

and mountain lionsand mountain lions

• Herbivores such as blacktailed deer, rabbits, Herbivores such as blacktailed deer, rabbits, squirrels, and mice; squirrels, and mice;

• Birds such as hawks, California quails, Birds such as hawks, California quails, western scrub jays, warblers and other western scrub jays, warblers and other songbirds;songbirds;

• Reptiles such as lizards and snakesReptiles such as lizards and snakes

• Arachnids such as butterflies; spiders Arachnids such as butterflies; spiders

Animals (cont.)Animals (cont.)• Aardwolf

• Black-tailed Jackrabbit

• Cactus Wren

• Golden Jackal

• Grey Fox

• Isand Grey Fox

• Puma

• San Joachin Kit Fox

• Spotted Skunk

• Wild Goat

Damage to the Chaparral

The gradual invasion of invasive weeds into areas where chaparral has been "masticated" during three separate fuel treatment projects in the

Painted Cave area, Santa Barbara, CA.

• Clearing and fragmentation, insect outbreaks, diseases, and grazing.

• Failure of woodland trees to regenerate - intensive grazing killing off any seedlings that do appear.

• Removal of old/dead trees for firewood and the destruction of seedlings by grazing combine to reduce the long term sustainability of woodland ecosystems.

• Off-road vehicles.

Threats From a Variety of Processes

• T/F: Chaparral is a plant, a herb sold in health food stores (they're actually selling ground up leaves from the creosote bush...a desert plant), or a 1960's television show...

• T/F: Chaparral needs fire to remain a healthy plant community...

• T/F: Chaparral exists in Texas...

• T/F: Chaparral has NOT become overgrown due to fire suppression.

Chaparral Quiz

• Chaparral is NOT a plant, a herb sold in health food stores (they're actually selling ground up leaves from the creosote bush...a desert plant), or a 1960's television show...

• Chaparral does NOT need fire to remain a healthy plant community...

• Chaparral does NOT exist in Texas...

• Chaparral has NOT become overgrown due to fire suppression.

Answers