The Scrublands Wild, Mild, and Beautiful Mrs. Carter

Where in the world are the Scrublands? Scrublands occupy less than 5% of earth’s total land mass Mostly between 30° and 40° latitude North and South of the Equator

Scrubland Aliases Maquis in Europe Matorral in Chile Mallee in Australia Fynbos in South Africa Chaparral in the Southwestern United States

Terrain of the Scrublands Extremely varied even on one continent Coastal plains Furrowed valleys Rolling hills Rocky mountains

Climate of the Scrublands Often called a Mediterranean Climate Mild, wet winters Average winter temp 50°F inches of rain during winter months

Climate of the Scrublands Hot, dry summers Average temperature 64°F, but may reach 100°F Very little rain Drought and fire common

Threats to the Scrublands Development threatens remaining wild areas Fire most dangerous natural threat – but also required for biome health California Chaparral wildfires made worse by Santa Ana winds

Threats to the Scrublands Invasive plant species primary carrier of wildfire Frequent fires increase non-native plant species Red Brome & Cheatgrass Invasive Plant Species

Threats to the Scrublands Scrublands -- fire adapted biome Native flora – regenerates when fire frequency is >15 years

Threats to the Scrublands Fire destroys ground cover Mudslides – secondary natural threat

Scrubland Plants Shrubs most common plant form Small leaves, waxy coating retain water Deep tap roots, shallow root system maximize water retention

Chaparral Yucca Native to the New World Can only be pollinated by the Yucca moth Takes 6 to 7 years for plant to produce blooms, then it dies Flowers bloom in spring -- can be 12 feet tall

Manzanita Native perennial shrub of Sierra Chaparral Seeds will not germinate unless burned Fire suppression = no new growth Manzanita Used to treat mild urinary tract infections and kidney inflammations

Saltmarsh Bird’s Beak Annual plant – lives for only one year Semi-parasitic – uses pickleweed and salt grass to extend growing season Grows only in saltmarshes of the San Diego County California Chaparral Endangered species

King Protea Native to South Africa National flower of South Africa Flower can measure 1 foot across Takes in moisture through its leaves Endangered – few grow wild – most cultivated

Olive Tree Oldest known cultivated tree Some trees live for a thousand years Requires hot dry summers and slightly chilly winters to produce fruit Small leaves with protective coating reduces transpiration

Scrubland Animals Adapt habits to avoid heat of summer days Possess physical adaptations for cooling and protection from extreme heat and dryness Dietary habits maximize water retention Threatened by loss of habitat

Cape Grysbok Endemic to South African fynbos Related to the antelope Only 25 pounds and 21 inches tall Nocturnal Can go for long periods without water

Iberian Lynx Native to Spain’s Mediterranean Maquis Endangered -- fewer than 1,000 left in the world Only 250 mature animals capable of breeding exist Decline due to loss of habitat and prey

San Joachim Kit Fox Native to San Joachim Valley Nocturnal Prey includes ground squirrels, gophers, birds, rabbits, insects Predators include coyotes, red foxes and man Large ears help animal keep cool Threatened

Black Tailed Jackrabbit Misnamed – really a hare Large ears help regulate body heat Soles of feet covered in fur – protection against scorching Eat food, excrete it, then eat their excrement to retain as much moisture as possible through food

Cactus Wren Largest wren in the United States Breed in successional Chaparral scrub (scrub regenerating after fire) Do not migrate Very territorial Insects – main food source

Save the Scrublands Scrubland only occupies 5% of the earth’s total land mass Scrubland supports 20% of the earth’s plants species Small isolated areas on five continents Each area is unique The Australian Mallee

Save the Scrublands The Fynbos -- home to 6,000 plants that can’t be found anywhere else in the world Over 1,000 species are endangered The South African Fynbos

Save the Scrublands Urban sprawl, agriculture, extensive grazing -- major threats 1,500 endemic plant species 15 endemic bird species The Chilean Matorral

Save the Scrublands Scrublands around the world – rapidly disappearing due to development Scrubland biome – in danger of being lost forever The Mediteranean Maquis

Works Cited Armstrong, W. P. The Yucca and Its Moth Date Retreived 20 Feb California Chaparral and Woodlands World Wildlife Fund. Date Retrieved 20 Feb Chaparral Date Retrieved 20 Feb Chaparral. Date Retrieved 20 Feb Chaparral and Fire California Native Plant Society. 20 Feb Chillean Matorral World Wildlife Fund. Date Retrieved 20 Feb Desert Scrub Explore Biodiversity and The Wild Classroom. Date Retrieved 20 Feb Mediterranean Scrublands Date Retrieved 20 Feb