1. Environmental Science 10/29/08
Mrs. Rosen Mrs. Waldinger
Do Now: Biomes handout.
Aim: What are some characteristics of a chaparral?
Homework Packet #9 is due next Monday.

2. Temperate Grassland/Shrubland

3. Temperate Grassland/Shrubland
-similar to tropical savanna, but with cold winter
-relatively hot summer
-potential evapotranspiration > ppt

4. Temperate Grassland/Shrubland
-scattered trees and shrubs
-trees are short statured
-fire & grazing by animals
also contribute to
predominance of grasses,
but that depends on climate

5. The Scrublands Wild, Mild, and Beautiful

6. 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

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

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

9. Climate of the Scrublands
Often called a Mediterranean Climate
Mild, wet winters
Average winter temp 50°F
15-25 inches of rain during winter months

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

11. 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

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

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

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

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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. The South African Fynbos
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

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

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

31. Summary Tropical Rainforests Deserts Savanna Grasslands Chaparral Hot
Warm
Cold
Savanna
Grasslands
Chaparral
Latitude and Climate
Biotic/Abiotic Factors
Living organisms
Food Chain