The Chaparral Biome
Landscape
This is a picture of the chaparral biome in California. The chaparral is dry, hot, and therefore has very little plant and animal variety.
Photo courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Chaparral_California.jpg
Black-Tailed Jack Rabbit
The black-tailed jack rabbit is another member of the chaparral biome. They have many adaptations that allow them to live in the harsh, dry heat of this biome. They have fur on the bottoms of their feet, to keep them from being burned by the hot sand. They can regulate their body temperature (and keep themselves cool in the sun) with their huge ears, which control blood flow.
Photo courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Jackrabbit3.JPG
Oak Tree
Oak trees are often found in this biome. This one is in California.
Photo courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Napa_Valley_oak_tree.jpg
Puma (Cougar)
Another chaparral animal is the cougar, or puma.
Photo courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Cougar_sitting.jpg
What is the chaparral biome?
Location: The chaparral biome can be found in numerous sections of the globe. The main locations are on the ocean coasts of North and South America, the mediterranean, and Australia, particularly in Chile and the southern California mountains.
Weather and Climate: Summers in the chaparral are very hot and dry, so they are prone to forest fires. The winters are very humid because chaparral is found bordering oceans.
Animal and Plant Life: Variety of life is scarce in these areas. The main plants are oak trees, eucalyptus, small evergreens, and large bushes. These plants all share an important common trait- they have evolved over time to adapt to their hot, dry climate. For example, the evergreen trees have a waxy outer outer coating on their leaves so they don't dry out so easily. The animals found in this biome are mainly rodents and reptiles, such as lizards and snakes. Additionally, grey foxes, jackrabbits, pumas, wild goats, and jackals also inhabit the chaparral.
Environmental Issue: What damage is being done in this environment? Wildfires. Although there are naturally occurring fires that the plants and animals in the chaparral can adapt to and survive, too many is hurting this small biome. In Southern California, especially, there are a lot of fires, and besides for just the direct effects (burned down trees), the side effects (smoke, air pollution) effect this environment as well.
Eucalyptus Tree
Eucalyptus trees can be found in this biome.
Photo courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Applebox.JPG
Lizard
One of the main animals in the chaparral biome is the reptile. This is an example, a lizard in Australia.
Photo courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Lizardaustalian.JPG
Evergreens
One of the most common plants in this biome is the evergreen tree. It does not lose its leaves, and it retains moisture to help it through the rough summers.
In this photo, some evergreen trees in California.
Photo courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Newport_Beach_tree.JPG
