Mediterranean Woodland and Shrubland Josh Schwartz

Location Typically located between the 30 and 40 latitude lines, north or south

Climate Precipitation: Just over 100cm to 20cm of rain fall each year. Warm-moist winters and hot-dry summers.

Why not a desert? Typically these areas with their proximity to the equator get dry-hot air dumped on them which usually makes deserts. Being located next to a body of water cools the air down and adds in some moisture.

Plant Life Tend to be less than a meter tall and shrub like. Annuals bloom after winter and survive as seeds during the summer. Perennials are mostly evergreens, their needles help hold water and nutrients. Many plants contain volatile chemicals like turpentine to deter herbivores.

Pyrogenic The chemicals like Turpentine that plants use for protection are also extremely flammable. Since the biome is so susceptible to wildfires plants have adapted by growing thick barks or regenerate from their root system after the fire has taken it course. Trees like the Cork Oak, Quercus suber, are used as buffers against the fires.

Animals Like in a desert the animals of this biome are small and/or nocturnal. Most creatures are insectivores because most plants contain chemicals that taste bad. Bigger animals simply cannot live through the summers because of the lack of shade the shrubbery offers. Unless, they have burrowing capabilities.

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