Temperate
Shrub land
(Chaparral)
Biome
Geographic distribution
Western coasts of North and
South America, areas around
the Mediterranean Sea,
South Africa, and Australia
Between 30-50o N
Between 30-40o S
Basic Characteristics
• Semiarid climate, mix of shrub
communities and open woodlands.
• Open woodlands: Large areas of grasses
and wildflowers such as poppies
interspersed with oak trees.
• Communities dominated by shrubs: also
known as chaparral.
• Growth of dense, low plants that contain
flammable oils makes fires a constant
threat.
Basic Characteristics
• Plant community in which shrubs are dominant.
• Occurs usually in regions having from 10 to 20
in. (25-50 cm) of rainfall annually and with a
Mediterranean-type climate.
• Rate of evaporation is high, chaparral may be
found where the rainfall is well above 20 in.
• Generally chaparral country has most of its
rainfall in the winter.
• The vegetation includes both evergreen and
deciduous forms, the dominant species varying
in different areas.
What Chaparral is Not
• It is NOT a plant, a herb sold in health
food stores (they're actually selling ground
up leaves from the creosote bush...a
desert plant), or a 1960's television show.
• It does NOT need fire to remain a healthy
plant community.
• It does NOT exist in Texas.
• It has NOT become overgrown due to fire
suppression.
What Chaparral is:
• California's most extensive, native
plant community.
Abiotic factors
• Hot, dry summers
• Cool, moist winters
• Thin, nutrient-poor soils
• Periodic fires
Climatograph
Biotic Factors
Dominant Plant Types
• Woody evergreen shrubs with
small, leathery leaves
• Fragrant, oily herbs that grow
during winter and die in summer
Examples
• Blue Oak
• Coyote Brush
• Common
Sagebrush
• Fairy Duster
• French Broom
• King Protea
• Lebanon Cedar
• Manzanita
• Mountain
Mahogany
• Saltmarsh Bird's
Beak
• Olive Tree
• Torrey Pine
Biotics: Dominant Animals
• Predators such as coyotes, foxes, bobcats,
and mountain lions
• Herbivores such as blacktailed deer, rabbits
squirrels, and mice;
• Birds such as hawks, California quails,
western scrub jays, warblers and other
songbirds;
• Reptiles such as lizards and snakes
• Arachnids such as butterflies; spiders
Animals (cont.)
• Aardwolf
• Black-tailed
Jackrabbit
• Cactus Wren
• Golden Jackal
• Grey Fox
• Isand Grey Fox
• Puma
• San Joachin Kit
Fox
• Spotted Skunk
• Wild Goat
Damage to the Chaparral
The gradual invasion of invasive weeds into areas
where chaparral has been "masticated" during
three separate fuel treatment projects in the
Painted Cave area, Santa Barbara, CA.
Threats From a Variety of Processes
• Clearing and fragmentation, insect outbreaks,
diseases, and grazing.
• Failure of woodland trees to regenerate intensive grazing killing off any seedlings that
do appear.
• Removal of old/dead trees for firewood and the
destruction of seedlings by grazing combine to
reduce the long term sustainability of woodland
ecosystems.
• Off-road vehicles.
Chaparral Quiz
• T/F: Chaparral is a plant, a herb sold in health
food stores (they're actually selling ground up
leaves from the creosote bush...a desert plant),
or a 1960's television show...
• T/F: Chaparral needs fire to remain a healthy
plant community...
• T/F: Chaparral exists in Texas...
• T/F: Chaparral has NOT become overgrown
due to fire suppression.
Answers
• Chaparral is NOT a plant, a herb sold in health
food stores (they're actually selling ground up
leaves from the creosote bush...a desert plant),
or a 1960's television show...
• Chaparral does NOT need fire to remain a
healthy plant community...
• Chaparral does NOT exist in Texas...
• Chaparral has NOT become overgrown due to
fire suppression.