Transcript Torrey Pines High School Canyon Field Study

Torrey Pines High School
Canyon Field Study
An Inquiry Lesson in the
Ecology of the
Coastal Sage
&
Chaparral
Communities
Of San Diego County
PURPOSE of STUDY:
• San Diego County has a unique range
of ecological communities that begin
at the coast line and progress westward
across the coastal plain, into foothills,
mountains, and a desert region.
• The rain shadow effect created by this
geographical transect provides a
unique set of micro climates that define
these communities.
Purpose cont.
• East and West Facing canyons
along the coastal belt show similar
plant transitions and microclimates
• Students analyze these slopes and
then compare and contrast their
findings to the larger geographic
distributions
Class Objectives:
To collect data to demonstrate plant
distribution by microclimate using
•
•
•
•
Temperature,
Soil Conditions,
Moisture &
Animal or human interference)
To document seasonal changes from Fall to
Spring
Procedure
• Students collect
field data on biotic
and abiotic factors
of the canyon.
• And then match the
microclimate
features to the key
index plants
Key Terms
Coastal Sage and
Chaparral•
•
•
•
a scrub land biome
of dense shrubs
found along the coast
characterized by
mild, rainy winters
• and long, hot, dry
summers
Key Terms . . . . . . . .
• Humus-The product
of decaying matter
from plants, animals,
and decomposers
• Index Plant-A main
plant found in
abundance in a
particular community
Key Terms . . . . . . . .
• Transect Line-A line of
vegetation selected for
charting plants.
• Microclimate-A
climate of an area with
important factors such
as precipitation and
temperature.
Canyon Overview
Climax Areas have
stable plant
Communities:
• West Facing
Slope(III)
• East Facing
Slope(I)
• Riparian Area
(Stream bed-I)
Plant Adaptations . . . . .
In order to survive harsh
conditions plants must
have special features to
utilize the available:
• moisture
• sunlight
• nutrients
and protect them from
animals
Highly Adapted Plants . . . . . .
Prickly Pear
Cactus
•
•
•
•
Leaves are ?
Needles for ?
Stem is green for?
Thick & Soft to
store?
Key Difference between:
Adaptations that help a plant to
survive a hot, dry climate by
• preventing water loss
versus
• allowing for water storage
Adaptations . . . . . . . .
Too much light or heat
can be as damaging as
too little & require:
• long narrow or tiny leaves
• thick hard stems
• thick waxy cuticle on leaves
to reduce water loss.
Plant Adaptations of the West
Facing Slope Top areas . . . .
Chamise
• hard woody stem
• small leaves to prevent
water loss.
• most highly adapted of
the shrubs
• for a hot, dry climate.
Mid slope regions . . . . . .
Lemonade Berry
• Thick waxy cuticle on
leaves
• Thick stems to prevent
water loss
• BUT broad leaf is not as
able to survive extreme
conditions, so it is a mid
slope belt
Plants in the lower slope regions
Black Sage
• Strong aroma
• Moderately large
leaves
• Turned upward to
catch moisture
• Silver backing to
reflect the hot light
Mid Slope Plants cont. . . . . . .
Baccharis or
Chaparral Broom
• Small light green
leaves
• Green top stems
• Hard woody bottom
stems
• Stiff &
bushy…broom!
Questions to ponder?
Flattop Buckwheat
• How does it get its
name?
• Why so many leaves?
• What function does
the swirl & clustering
of these leaves
provide?
Mid Slope Plants…….
Ceanotheus
• What shape is the
leaf?
• What advantage
in a hot, dry
climate
• What type of
stem adaptation
Riparian Plants . . . . . .
Riparian =Stream Bed
Undergoes succession
because of stream erosion
•
•
•
•
Rushes are round
Sedges have edges
Cattails
Large deep rooted
trees
Plant Adaptations of the Riparian
Laurel Sumac• long, broad leaves are
NOT well adapted
• curled leaves
• help gather water &
• reduce the amount of
surface area exposed to
the hot sun
• thick woody stem
• to prevent water loss
The Succession Study Area IV
Succession Area
• South slope adjacent to the football field
• Cleared & filled for the stadium
• Grasses, small shrubs, and opportunistic
species first colonize these areas.
This secondary succession area once had
living organism but was destroyed & is now
recovering.
Plants in the Succession area . . .
California Sage
• Strong aroma
• Very narrow, long
leaves
• Light gray coloration
Reflects hot intense sun
light
• Green stem
Increases photosynthesis
area
Plant Adaptations of the East
Facing Slope
Scrub Oak• relatively large tree-like structure
• dark, cupped oval leaves
• for gathering water
• with prickles for protection
This plant is an index plant of the foothills
community at higher, cooler, elevations.
East Facing Slope…..
Mazanita• large tree
• long broad leaves
• large surface, but are
curled downward
• red, woody stem
prevents water loss.
References
• Http://bio.lmu.edu/socal_nat_hist/nathist.htm
• Ancinec, G. et al. 1979. Natural History of
Southern California, A laboratory guide, Peek
Publications, Palo Alto, CA.