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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
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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/2011/0
9/06/chaparral/
• http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/chaparral.ht
m
• http://fireecology.org/education/doc1.htm
• http://biology.about.com/od/landbiomes/a/aa0
60906a.htm
Questions?