1. Temperate Shrub land (Chaparral) Biome

2. Geographic distribution Western coasts of North and South America, areas around the Mediterranean Sea, South Africa, and Australia

3. Between 30-50o N
Between 30-40o S

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. What Chaparral is:
California's most extensive, native plant community.

8. Abiotic factors Hot, dry summers Cool, moist winters
Thin, nutrient-poor soils
Periodic fires

9. Climatograph

10. Biotic Factors Dominant Plant Types
Woody evergreen shrubs with small, leathery leaves
Fragrant, oily herbs that grow during winter and die in summer

11. 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

13. 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

14. Animals (cont.) Isand Grey Fox Puma San Joachin Kit Fox Spotted Skunk
Aardwolf
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
Cactus Wren
Golden Jackal
Grey Fox
Isand Grey Fox
Puma
San Joachin Kit Fox
Spotted Skunk
Wild Goat

17. Damage to the Chaparral

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.