Chaparral biome

The Chaparral Biome

1. Chaparral Biome Xander Koo and Kevin Li

2. Conditions and Climate Very dry climate, hot summers and mild winters Found in mid-latitudes, in California and Mediterranean in north and South Africa, South America, and Australia in south, at varying altitudes Dry soil, often very thin and does not hold much water, often eroded Plants in ecosystem have natural service function of keeping the loose soil bunched together https://room42.wikispaces.com/file/view/Crescent_City_climate.png/33466987/350x224/Crescent_City_climate.png https://www.fotolia.com/

3. Types and Classification Five different areas of chaparral: California, Chile, South Africa, Australia, and the Mediterranean Two major types Maritime chaparral is near the coast, typically cool, moist conditions Serpentine chaparral is drier and harsher, in ridges and interior canyons

4. Plants and Animals Plant life is diverse, characterized by smaller brushes, bushes, cacti, and shrubs as well as trees such as pines and oaks Animal life includes jackrabbits, rattlesnakes, and kangaroos in Australia http://www.americanforests.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Gray-fox-kit.jpg

5. Threats Increased human development in chaparral areas (mild climate is very suitable for human habitation) Disruption to fire cycles by humans has led to conversion to grasslands (fires too often) or more devastating fires (fires not often enough) Invasive species are brought in, grazing by farm animals reduces the numbers of an already resource strained plant ecosystem http://www.quoteaustininsurance.com/wildfire

6. Organism Interactions Example Food Web Hawk Fox Lizard Snake Rodents Cacti Shrubs Insects

7. Ecological Interactions - 1 Mutualism: Harvester Ants protect Indian Rice Grass by eating predators of the grass, and getting food in the process Commensalism: The Red-Winged Blackbird lives in reeds, who are not harmed but provide a home Parasitism: Ticks suck on the Kit Fox’s blood for food. The fox is at risk of disease as a result All images from: http://chaparralawareness.weebly.com/relationships-between-animals.html

8. Ecological Interactions - 2 Competition: If they were in the wild, this lynx and this fox would be competing for resources as top predators in the chaparral http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqk913Gw3C1qc6j5yo1_500.jpg http://sheppeywildlife.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/b5.jpg Predation: This rabbit is getting predated by this fox

9. Coyote Brush Adaptations waxy leaves prevent moisture escaping oils on leaf are fire-retardant for when wildfires occur leaves taste bad, animals tend to stay away long roots, absorbs lots of moisture http://science.halleyhosting.com/nature/plants/sun/button/baccharis/pilularis/pilularis1a.jpg

10. color of its fur hides it from predators strong claws, good for climbing trees (i.e. escape predators) is an omnivore, but switches to eating more insects and birds in more arid locations Grey Fox Adaptations http://wildlife.projectlte.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/the-grey-fox-trot-dewain-maney.jpg

11. Endangered Species California Condor - Native to California, Classified as Critically Endangered, but population rising, top predator in the ecosystem, protected through captive breeding and poaching ban Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat - Native to Australian Chaparral, Classified as Critically Endangered, Population stable, primary consumer, protected with fences and captive breeding http://northerncaliforniachaparral.weebly.com/invasiveendangered-species.html https://biodiversitywarriors.wikispaces.com/file/view/GW424H300.jpeg/378110286/GW424H300.jpeg