Transcript Biomes: Chaparral

Biomes: Chaparral
By: Jason Mollerup
Physical Characteristics
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Location
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Mainly the Mediterranean region of Europe, the
western part of the United States, and Australia.
It can be found in mainly the northern latitudes of the
western side of continents.
Terrain
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Has various landscapes such as: hills, mountain
slopes, scrubland, and forests
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Classified as desert or grassland.
Chemical Characteristics
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Fire has a major role
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Certain seeds are inhibited form germination by
chemicals given off from leaf litter which is only
released after they have been burned. When fire
burns these compounds from the soil, the seeds
germinate at once.
Seeds that have been dormant for even 100 years can
retain their germination adaptations to fire and may
grow after a fire sweeps through.
Climate
Temperature degrees Farenheit
Average Monthly Temperature
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Average Monthly Precipitation
2.5
Temperature
average high
Temperature
average low
2
1.5
1
Inches
0.5
ry rch ay uly er be r
a
J mb m
M
nu Ma
e
e
a
J
pt No v
e
S
Months
0
January
May
September
Months
Map
Animals
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Black-tailed Jackrabbit (actually a hare)
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Jackrabbits live in the extreme environments of the desert and chaparral, where
temperatures are hot during the day and cold at night, and there isn’t a lot of rain.
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They have huge ears that regulate their body heat (helps jackrabbit absorb heat or cool off).
Considered primary consumer, they eat tough grass, leaves, twigs, sagebrush and cacti.
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Aardwolf (furry hyena that looks like a dog)
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Means “earth wolf” in Afrikaans The aardwolf was named like that because they live in
underground burrows.
Small and shy compared to hyenas (15-20 inches to the ground).
Inhabits the grassland of the chaparral.
Considered a secondary consumer. They eat the termites and grasshoppers of the chaparral.
Puma
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Incredibly adaptable to nearly any environment.
Males can weigh up to 200 pounds
Considered a tertiary consumer, it eats, deer, skunk, Aardwolf and the Cactus Wren of the
chaparral.
Plants
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Blue oak
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Coyote Brush
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Native to the state of California on the western coast of North America.
Grows in the valleys and lower slopes of the Coast Ranges.
Adapted to drought and dry climates as the can survive in temperatures of 100
degrees Fahrenheit.
Produces leaves and acorns.
Common in California’s chaparral
Found in canyons below 2500 feet
Coyote brush is dioecious which means that it produces male and female
fowlers on different plants
Its roots spread out several yards which allows it to be great at catching rain
Olive Tree
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Oldest known cultivated tree in history
Played a huge role in the civilizations of the Mediterranean countries
It is an evergreen tree with gray-green leaves and small white flowers
Can reach heights of 25-30 feet tall.
Survives in hot and dry climates
Environmental damage
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Wildfires are the main cause of damage. Earlier it
was discussed that fire is key to plant growth,
however when it is not natural it can be severe.
Natural occurring wildfires range from 30-150
years, however humans cause wildfires in the
chaparral nearly every year! Although certain
species of plants depend on the fires, numerous
fires cause for other species of plants and
animals to become scarce.
Solutions
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Bulletins posted by Wildbird (a foundation composed of
native plant activists) share information to those in San
Diego regarding Brush management, Brush/Chaparral and
Fire Resistant Plants. Bulletins like these help people
become aware of the destruction of wild fires and give
them tips on the prevention of them.
Planning commissions have been formed for the
prevention of wildfires in San Diego since 2009. Topics
discussed included expanding chaparral and educating
those about Chaparral wildfires.
Reference and Bibliography
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M, L (2000 June, 3). Chaparral. retrieved 2011 November, 30, from Chaparral Web
Site: http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/chaparral.html
P, K & Fougere, J (2009 May, 19). Chaparral Group C. retrieved 2011 November, 30,
from General Information Web Site:
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=chaparral+food+web&view=detail&id=E9D5B
86CADE1853DB72617F47A22FCCDC24EF5D7&first=0
N, C (1995 Jan, 1). Monthly Averages for Chaparral, NM. retrieved 2011 November,
30, from Local Weather Alerts Web Site:
http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USNM0361
T, N (2005 May, 25). The Chaparral Biome. retrieved 2011 November, 30, from Home
School Web Site: http://www.homeschoolonline.co.uk/biology/biomes/the-chaparralbiome.html
H, R (2009 May, 19). Fire And Nature. retrieved 2011 November, 30, from California
chaparral Institute Web Site: http://www.californiachaparral.com/firenature.html