Chaparral

Chaparral By Linda Tucker

Geography• Found on every continent except Antarctica• Found between 30° and 40° latitude in both

southern and northern hemispheres• In northern hemisphere, found to the north

of deserts• In southern hemisphere, found to the south

of deserts

Distribution

Climate• Cool and moist fall, winter, and spring• Hot and dry summer• Temperature ranges from 30° to 100° F• Gets 10-17 inches of rain per year

Fire Cycle• Fires are frequent due to hot, dry climate• This is a naturally occurring cycle• Fire cycle releases nutrients from plants back

into the soil• Cycle also helps replace old growth with

younger, more productive growth• Excessive fires can lead to soil erosion

Fires

Plant Life• Many are evergreen with hard, waxy leaves• Many plants have symbiotic relationships

with microbes to fix atmospheric nitrogen• Many have adaptations to fire:– Thick, fire-resistant bark– Flammable parts above fire line– Store energy in roots to regrow after fire– Some seeds require fire to germinate

Plant Life

Animal Life• Animals are adapted to hot conditions• Many animals burrow to escape the heat• Many are nocturnal or only find food during

the morning hours• Some mice and lizards have semi-solid urine• Animals like the Jackrabbit and Kit Fox have

very large ears to regulate body temperature

Animal Life

Human Influences• Agriculture– Low-intensity allows soil to remain fertile– High-intensity can lead to soil depletion

• Grazing and browsing by livestock• Intentional burning to clear woody plants• Increased human habitation

References• Molles, Manuel C. Ecology: Concepts and

Applications. 5th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2010.• http://scientopia.org/blogs/voltagegate/

2011/09/06/chaparral/• http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/

chaparral.htm• http://fireecology.org/education/doc1.htm• http://biology.about.com/od/landbiomes/a/

aa060906a.htm

Questions?