By: Ada Carpenter and Jonathan Smith The Chaparral Biome By: Ada Carpenter and Jonathan Smith

What is a chaparral? A chaparral is an area of dry land that is covered with bushes and short trees. Chaparrals can have mountains, rocky terrain, hills, or flat plains.

Where are chaparrals located?

Climate Temperature: range from 30-100 degrees Average Temperature: 64 degrees Annual Rainfall: 10-17 inches Most rain comes in the winter leaving long periods of dryness in the summer. There are many fires because of the heat and dryness. Exist in a mid-latitude climate and lie in a belt of prevailing westerly winds.

Graphs

Chaparral Autotrophs (plants) Blue Oak: Genus-Quercus Species- douglasii Can survive at temps. Above 100 degrees for weeks at a time. Average height of 30 ft. Is a deciduous tree, but may shed its leaves during severely hot years/ has waxy leaves. Coyote Brush: Genus- Baccharis Species- pilularis Has waxy leaves that reduce the amount of moisture lost to evaporation into the air. Is dioecious, meaning it produces male and female flowers on different plants. Is a member of the sunflower family

Chaparral Autotrophs (plants) Fairy Duster: Genus- Calliandra Species- eriophylla Is eaten by many different chaparral and desert animals. Can bloom and year and grows to be about 8-48 in. tall. King Protea: Genus- Protea Species- cynaroicles Originally from the Cape Town area in South Africa and is South Africa’s national flower. Another name is the King Sugar Bush. Takes in moisture through its leaves, and can grow to be 12 in. across. Of the 370 protea species, about 120 are endangered.

Chaparral Autotrophs (plants) Saltmarsh Bird’s Beak: Genus- Cordylanthus Species- maritimus Is related to the Snapdragon. Is a semi-parasitic plant. Uses pickleweed and salt grass to extend its growing season. Is an endangered plant in California and throughout the USA. Torrey Pine: Genus- Pinus Species- torreyana Are about 40-60 ft. high, and 25-40 ft. wide. Has pinon nuts and five needles in a bunch. By the time it is 40 ft. high, its roots will be 200 ft. long. Does not burn well and shade is very thin.

Chaparral Autotrophs (plants) Coyote Brush Fairy Duster Blue Oak King Protea Saltmarsh Bird’s Beak Torrey Pine

Chaparral Heterotrophs (animals) Black-Tailed Jackrabbit: Genus~Lepus Species~californicus Can survive extreme temperatures, hot and cold, while also surviving with very little water. They prefer to live in open areas where they can see predators coming. They have a top speed of 36mph, which allows them to outrun any oncoming threats. Cactus Wren: Genus~Campylorhynchus Species~brunneicapillus Is 7-9 inches long, making it the largest Wren in the United States. They are brown and have a white stripe running over each eye. Both sexes look alike.

Chaparral Heterotrophs (animals) Golden Jackal: Genus~Canis Species~aureus They are omnivores, with a 54% meat, and 46% plant diet. They are predators and help keep the rodent, gazelle, and frog population down. They find one mate for their entire lives, and have pups for about 8 years Grey Fox: Genus~Urocyon Species~cinereoargenteous It prefers to live in wooded and brushy areas. They are the only member of the dog family that can climb trees. They can be found from Ontario, Canada, throughout central and southwestern United States down to Venezuela.

Chaparral Heterotrophs (animals) Island Grey Fox: Genus~Urocyon Species~littoralis They are close relatives to the Grey fox, but through natural selection they became much smaller, this was due to the food shortages at the time. They communicate to another through sight sound and smell. They are dying off at an alarming rate due to diseases spread by domestic pets humans have brought to the islands. Puma: Genus~Puma Species~concolor Males can weigh up to 200 pounds. Their preferred prey is deer, birds, and mice. They will not eat anything another animal has killed Their mating season is in early Spring.

Chaparral Heterotrophs (animals) Spotted Skunk: Genus~Spilogale Species~gracilis They have the ability to spray a strong and fowl smelling odor out of their anal glands, just like any other skunk. They have the ability to swim, but only use this attribute when their lives are in danger. Females can delay their birth date until food is plentiful. Bezoar Goat: Genus~Caprs Species~aegagrus Weigh 130 to 300 pounds, and can stand up to four feet tall. They travel in packs of about 50 goats. Both sexes have beards. They are listed as a vulnerable species.

Interesting Facts The name Chaparral comes from the Spanish word “Chapparo” which means “small” and “dwarf” evergreen oak. Plants that live in the Chaparral biome usually have thick cell layers and wax like coatings on their leaves to help them survive the natural forest fires that occur regularly in this environment.

Interesting Facts Chaparral biomes are found all over the planet, including parts of California, Oregon, South Africa, and Australia, just to name a few.

“Mans” Influence Humans are building tourist attractions and factories in the chaparral biome. To make room for the buildings, they need to cut down trees, destroying the homes of many animals. The loss of vegetation doesn’t allow animals to depend on the natural forest fires that usually occur in their environment.

“Mans” Influence

Works Cited M., L. (2000). Chaparral Biome. Retrieved April 21, 2016, from http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/chaparral.htm Chaparral Biome. (2015). Retrieved April 21, 2016, from http://www.bioexpedition.com/chaparral-biome/