This ecosystem features minimal plant cover with about 50 percent of the ground being uncovered. Transmontane means “on the other side of the mountain.” The transmontane chaparral is also known as the desert chaparral, which is an ecosystem found on the drier slopes of mountains known as the rain shadow. The flora is comprised of many species of plants including sage, mahogany, and oak. The cismontane chaparral is home to a diverse range of plant and animals species including the Bushtit, the Wrentit, the Greater Roadrunner, Anna’s hummingbird among others. The cismontane chaparral refers to the type of chaparral found in Mediterranean forests, scrub and woodland ecosystems and can be found along the western slopes of Sierra Nevada in San Joaquin Valley, the Peninsular Ranges on the western slopes and can also be found in the Central Coast along the southwest slopes of the Transverse Ranges. Another classification divides the California chaparral into three regions - the California coastal sage and chaparral, the California montane chaparral and woodlands, and the California interior chaparral and woodlands. The California chaparral is one of the most extensive of all chaparral regions in the world and can be divided into several subdivisions including the cismontane chaparral and the transmontane chaparral. The chaparral is also found along the Mediterranean Basin where it is known as the “maquis” and can also be found in Africa along the South African Cape Region where it is known as the “fynbos.” In South America, the chaparral is located in the central region of Chile where it is referred to as the “matorral.” In Australia, the chaparral is found in the western region of the continent where it is known as the “mallee.” Types of the California Chaparral In North America, the chaparral is found in the coastal regions of Southern California, Central Valley of California, The Transverse Ranges, The California Coast Ranges, as well as the Guadalupe Island of Mexico. The California Academy of Science claims that the flora found in the chaparral represents about 20 percent of all plant diversity in the world. The chaparral is located in areas which experience Mediterranean climate and are spread all over the world. The terrain in regions where the chaparral is found range from mountain slopes, rocky hills to flat plains. The extended durations of these hot summers make the areas prone to numerous fires which are among some of the defining characteristics of the chaparral. The regions of chaparral experience harsh summers where temperatures can reach about 40 degrees Celsius. The type of vegetation found in the chaparral is scrubs and short bushes. While the North American chaparral is most famous, the chaparral biome can be found all over the world. The chaparral gets its name from the Spanish word “Chaparro” meaning “scrub oak” which is endemic in regions of chaparral. The chaparral biosphere is found in areas with Mediterranean climatic conditions mainly in California State and the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. The chaparral is a term used to describe the biome characterized by drought-resistant plants which possess hard evergreen leaves and short internodes. What And Where Is The Chaparral? The Chaparral is found primarily in California, US as well as the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |