Transcript Chaparral Ecosystem - CarrollEnvironmentalScience

http://cpluhna.nau.edu/images/semiaridgrasslands92rw.jpg
CHAPARRAL
(a.k.a. Temperate Shrubland)
Olivia Gehrke
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Typically found in
coastal regions
that are bordered
by deserts
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Ex)
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southern
California
Mediterranean
http://www.anselm.edu/homepage/jpitocch/genbi101/34_08TerrestrialBiomes-L%20copy.jpg
Overview
• Abiotic
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Rocky
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Lots of constant sunlight
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Many hills
• Biotic
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Temperate shrubland
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Dense growths of
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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
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Thin, rocky layer on top of subsoil
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Subsoil consists of clay or rock that holds moisture
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Needs to hold moisture b/c summers in the chaparral can be very dry
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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
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Blue oak
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Coyote brush
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Common sagebrush
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manzanita
http://ucanr.edu/sites/scmg/files/30291display.jpg
http://www.igoterra.com/photo/999/012115.JPG
Plant Adaptations
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Chaparral biome is known for having periodic
fires, so some plant life has adapted to tolerate
the fires.
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Some plants are fire resistant
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Plants have seeds that mostly sprout following a
fire
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Coyote brush leaves’ chemical make-up prevents
them from catching fire
Fire poppy
Plants have to adapt to large variations in
temperature
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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
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Black-tailed jackrabbit
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Grey fox
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Wild goat
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Golden jackal
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Cactus wren
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Spotted skunk
http://www.tringa.org/images/9913500129_Black-tailed_Jackrabbit_10-20-2007_2.jpg
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/images/ibex_bezoar.jpg
http://www.animalspot.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Golden-jackal.jpg
http://www.nickdunlop.com/data/photos/381_1greyfox1.jpg
Animal Adaptations
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Have to be able to cope with fires
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Cactus wren breed in shrubs freshly recovering from
being burned
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Black-tailed jackrabbit
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Learned to make use of scorched environment after a
fire
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
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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
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Humans build houses in chaparral
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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-fireresistant organisms
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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
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http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/communities/chaparral
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http://blueplanetbiomes.org/chaparral_climate_page.htm
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http://californiachaparral.org/threatstochaparral.html