(a.k.a. Temperate Shrubland) Olivia Gehrke http://cpluhna.nau.edu/images/semiaridgrasslands92rw.jpg Chaparral (a.k.a. Temperate Shrubland) Olivia Gehrke

Typically found in coastal regions that are bordered by deserts Ex) southern California Mediterranean http://www.anselm.edu/homepage/jpitocch/genbi101/34_08TerrestrialBiomes-L%20copy.jpg

Overview Abiotic Biotic Rocky Lots of constant sunlight Many hills Temperate shrubland Dense growths of Low-growing evergreen shrubs Small trees with leathery leaves (reduce evaporation) http://www.californiachaparral.org/images/555_PS-Chamise-RS-chaparral.jpg

Climate Mild, moist, but doesn’t get a lot of precipitation 10-17 inches per year (mostly in winter) Summer=hot & dry Temperature usually mild but sometimes reaches hot/cold extremes Average range: 30-70 degrees Fahrenheit http://betterphoto.typepad.com/.a/6a00e5501d97a488330147e0f07ee8970b-800wi

Soil Thin, rocky layer on top of subsoil Subsoil consists of clay or rock that holds moisture Needs to hold moisture b/c summers in the chaparral can be very dry Plants use moisture in the soil due to the limited amount of precipitation http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wWY3RnqSbnU/S_TJlorkiDI/AAAAAAAAAFU/OKv8UzJEcq8/s1600/chaparral.JPG

Dominant Plants Blue oak Coyote brush Common sagebrush manzanita http://ucanr.edu/sites/scmg/files/30291display.jpg http://www.igoterra.com/photo/999/012115.JPG

Plant Adaptations Chaparral biome is known for having periodic fires, so some plant life has adapted to tolerate the fires. Some plants are fire resistant Coyote brush leaves’ chemical make-up prevents them from catching fire Plants have seeds that mostly sprout following a fire Fire poppy Plants have to adapt to large variations in temperature Blue oak can survive at 100 degrees Fahrenheit for several weeks http://www.laspilitas.com/images/grid24_24/3470/s/images/plants/304/Eschscholzia_californica-4.jpg

Dominant Animals Black-tailed jackrabbit Grey fox Wild goat Golden jackal Cactus wren Spotted skunk http://www.tringa.org/images/9913500129_Black-tailed_Jackrabbit_10-20-2007_2.jpg http://www.animalspot.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Golden-jackal.jpg http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/images/ibex_bezoar.jpg http://www.nickdunlop.com/data/photos/381_1greyfox1.jpg

Animal Adaptations Have to be able to cope with fires Cactus wren breed in shrubs freshly recovering from being burned Learned to make use of scorched environment after a fire Black-tailed jackrabbit Able to withstand large variation in temperature; regulates body heat by increasing/decreasing blood flow in their very large ears Feed only at night when it’s cooler Digest food twice; eat their waste in order to get moisture out of it Modified diet for times of limited food sources Golden jackal adapted to eating some insects, even though it’s not part of their normal day-to-day diet http://www.saguaro-juniper.com/i_and_i/mammals/rabbitsNhares/Jackrabbit.jpg

Ecological Interactions http://www.lbah.com/images/RwandaTanzania2011/Serengeti/JackalGazelle-25.jpg Birds nest in low- lying, thick shrubs Protective Jackal is predator so keeps rodent and bird population regulated Wild goat also prey of jackal

Human Impact & Problems Humans build houses in chaparral Dangerous for humans because of the risk of mudslides and fires Also take measures to prevent fires, which some chaparral organisms need to reproduce Though some organisms need fire, most don’t, so careless human behavior causing rapid, long-lasting fires can kill off a lot of non-fire- resistant organisms Too much fire=depletion of chaparral; native species killed; opportunity for invasive species to take over http://www.biosbcc.net/b100plant/img/SW/FIRE02.JPG

Sources http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/communities/chaparral http://blueplanetbiomes.org/chaparral_climate_page.htm http://californiachaparral.org/threatstochaparral.html