Chaparral biome

Chaparral BiomeXander Koo and Kevin Li

Conditions and Climate

Very dry climate, hot summers and mild winters

Found in mid-latitudes, in California and Mediterranean in north and South Africa, South America, and Australia in south, at varying altitudes

Dry soil, often very thin and does not hold much water, often eroded

Plants in ecosystem have natural service function of keeping the loose soil bunched together

https://room42.wikispaces.com/file/view/Crescent_City_climate.png/33466987/350x224/

Crescent_City_climate.png

https://www.fotolia.com/

Types and Classification

Five different areas of chaparral: California, Chile, South Africa, Australia, and the Mediterranean

Two major types

Maritime chaparral is near the coast, typically cool, moist conditions

Serpentine chaparral is drier and harsher, in ridges and interior canyons

Plants and Animals

Plant life is diverse, characterized by smaller brushes, bushes, cacti, and shrubs as well as trees such as pines and oaks

Animal life includes jackrabbits, rattlesnakes, and kangaroos in Australia

http://www.americanforests.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Gray-fox-kit.jpg

Threats

Increased human development in chaparral areas (mild climate is very suitable for human habitation)

Disruption to fire cycles by humans has led to conversion to grasslands (fires too often) or more devastating fires (fires not often enough)

Invasive species are brought in, grazing by farm animals reduces the numbers of an already resource strained plant ecosystem

http://www.quoteaustininsurance.com/wildfire

Organism Interactions- Example Food Web

Hawk Fox

Lizard

Snake

Rodents

CactiShrubs

Insects

Ecological Interactions - 1

Mutualism: Harvester Ants protect Indian Rice Grass by eating predators of the grass, and getting food in the process Commensalism: The

Red-Winged Blackbird lives in reeds, who are not harmed but provide a home

Parasitism: Ticks suck on the Kit Fox’s blood for food. The fox is at risk of disease as a result

All images from: http://chaparralawareness.weebly.com/relationships-between-animals.html

Ecological Interactions - 2

Competition: If they were in the wild, this lynx and this fox would be competing for resources as top predators in the chaparral

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqk913Gw3C1qc6j5yo1_500.jpghttp://sheppeywildlife.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/b5.jpg

Predation: This rabbit is getting predated by this fox

Coyote Brush Adaptations

waxy leaves prevent moisture escaping

oils on leaf are fire-retardant for when wildfires occur

leaves taste bad, animals tend to stay away

long roots, absorbs lots of moisture

http://science.halleyhosting.com/nature/plants/sun/button/baccharis/pilularis/pilularis1a.jpg

color of its fur hides it from predators

strong claws, good for climbing trees (i.e. escape predators)

is an omnivore, but switches to eating more insects and birds in more arid locations

Grey Fox Adaptations

http://wildlife.projectlte.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/the-grey-fox-trot-dewain-maney.jpg

Endangered Species

California Condor - Native to California, Classified as Critically Endangered, but population rising, top predator in the ecosystem, protected through captive breeding and poaching ban

Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat - Native to Australian Chaparral, Classified as Critically Endangered, Population stable, primary consumer, protected with fences and captive breeding

http://northerncaliforniachaparral.weebly.com/invasiveendangered-species.html

https://biodiversitywarriors.wikispaces.com/file/view/GW424H300.jpeg/378110286/GW424H300.jpeg