1. (a.k.a. Temperate Shrubland) Olivia Gehrke
Chaparral
(a.k.a. Temperate Shrubland)
Olivia Gehrke

2. Typically found in coastal regions that are bordered by deserts
Ex)
southern California
Mediterranean

3. 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)

4. 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: degrees Fahrenheit

5. 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

6. Dominant Plants Blue oak Coyote brush Common sagebrush manzanita

7. 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

8. Dominant Animals Black-tailed jackrabbit Grey fox Wild goat
Golden jackal
Cactus wren
Spotted skunk

9. 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

10. Ecological Interactions
Birds nest in low- lying, thick shrubs
Protective
Jackal is predator so keeps rodent and bird population regulated
Wild goat also prey of jackal

11. 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

12. Sources