Chaparral and Coastal Sage Scrub Field Investigation Make-up Essay

If there are differences in the amount and type of vegetation from seashore to further inland.

Plants are found everywhere on earth, up high on the ridge and down low in caves and caverns. The types of plants that live in these places depends on many factors. These factors are separated into two different categories, the biotic factors and the abiotic factors. Some of the biotic factors include, predation, competition, and habitat destruction. Plants with limited competition and large amounts of resources will be in a higher abundance than plants with limited resources and higher competition rates will be confined to areas and either out competed or will be the dominant species. Certain plants adapt to these factors and thrive and others don’t do as well. Some of the abiotic factors include, sunlight, water, temperature, and wind. These

The annual rate of precipitation, and elevational range once generated a strong foundation for a wide diversity of vegetation

Climatic changes are expected to change species distributions, phenologies, interspecific interactions, community composition, and ecosystem function (Schneider & Root 2002). Many of these impacts have already been observed (Parmesan 2006). In California’s San Joaquin Valley, temperatures are projected to be warmer in both winter and summer, with a mean annual increase of 1.4–2.0°C by 2070 (PRBO Conservation Science 2011). Additionally, precipitation is projected to decrease (-9% to -30%), although there is a high degree of uncertainty surrounding the magnitude of the precipitation changes (PRBO Conservation Science 2011). Summer heat waves are projected to become longer and hotter, and droughts more severe (Garfin et al. 2012).

The Monument Valley is the Purple Sage which is 3 to 6 feet long with flowers that are light purple. The leaves found on it are white tomentose which look like a fuzzy grey leaf. The purple sage thrives in the desert environment because of its lack of need of water. The purple sage was able to adapt to the harsh conditions of Monument Valley due to its size and thin layer of wax on the leaves. On the leaves of the plant there is a waxy cuticle layer that most desert plants have. This adaptation helps keep water in and reduces transpiration (is when a plant absorbs water in its roots.) Also, the little hairs on the leaves allow the purple sage to reflect sunlight and reduce the movement of air on its surface. This leads to less

“Dormancy is a period in an organism's life cycle when growth, development, and (in animals) physical activity are temporarily stopped” (“Dormancy”). Some native plants have learned to adapt to grow a mixture of both short and long roots, so they can absorb moisture from both depths. After the winter season, the deeper roots reach down to absorb the water that has soaked into the deeper ground. Once the water lower in the ground has been absorbed into the tree, the plant uses its shallow roots to begin absorbing the moisture at the surface (Schwinning, Susan. “Sensitivity”). Exotic plants in a new area can cause irregular forest fires, floods, and other unwanted natural disturbances. To prevent these disturbances from occurring, Exotic Plant Management teams are trying to remove unnecessary plants that are only hurting the soil. The Exotic Plants team gives the people taking care of the plants two recommendations. First, they recommended to not worry as much about the bigger exotic plants and try to eliminate the weeds and exotic grasses. Second, is to put as much effort into restoring the native plants that are struggling through the droughts (Daw). Cold season shrubs are one of the few native plants that were not affected by the change in the climate

The usage of land in the Mojave Desert is negatively affecting the desert as a whole. “Some key species are indicators of the overall ecological health of the region … most of these species continue to decline.” was stated by the mojave defenders. Certain animals such as the Mojave ground squirrel represent the health of our environment, and certain groups are inefficiently using the land of the Mojave Desert. Ultimately, this is leading to a decline in these populations.

Currently, the sagebrush ecosystem is rapidly declining across the Western United States, with over 350 associated plant and animal species at risk of being lost and imperiled. The main reason for the sagebrush decline is the steady encroachment of cheatgrass and pinyon-juniper. The invasion of these plants are fueling larger and more frequent fires that are out competing sagebrush as well as the associated grass species that are native components of the ecosystem, taking over much land that sagebrush once occupied. Cheatgrass was introduced to North America through contaminated grain seed, straw packing material, and soil used as ballast in ships sailing from Eurasia in the late 1890’s and is now the main culprit behind sagebrush decline.

The second main issue that “Ecology of Fear” raised was regarding the wild fires that have ravaged Southern California for years. Although this situation arises virtually every time the Santa Ana winds kick in or due to the presence of chaparral

Cavitation has a decreasing impact on plants’ ability to transport water from the soil to their leaves. The studies report that plants in chaparral vegetation are more susceptible to cavitation during the wet season. The studies also found that the location (for example, temperature, precipitation rates or distance to the coast) of chaparral have impacts on cavitation resistance. In addition, the studies hypothesize and found that plants in chaparral habitats with greater precipitation have the tendency to become less resistant to cavitation, especially in the beginning of summer. This paper is relevant to chaparral because it explores the relationship between cavitation in chaparral vegetation and its effects on the overall

Reviewing the requirements for a hotspot makes the fact that the North American Costal Plain is 1 of only 36 hotspots in the world makes this fact so much more aspiring. When looking at a map it is clear that the North American Costal Plain starts in Mexico and goes all the way up into Massachusetts, and Louisiana is completely nestled into this plain. Looking closely into different regions of the North American Costal Plains shows that even though these regions are all a costal plain they each have their own setting and unique characteristics. To reflect on why the biodiversity varies, this paper will explore some of the North American Coastal Plain briefly.

While vegetation is quite sparse on the beach, the forest can get quite lush. The flora in the area can range from medium sized bushes to fully grown trees. The cassowary plum and small screw pines are common. Ginger trees are also seen. The burrawang palms grow around the areas near the ocean.

Kleberg Bluestem (Dichanthium annulatum) is a non-native bunchgrass species that was intentionally introduced in South Texas for erosion control and cattle feed. Dichanthium annulatum is native to Africa and Southern Asia. However, current data shows this species is in Louisiana and Texas. This species is outcompeting native plant populations which threaten to weaken wildlife habitats and their biodiversity. Kleberg Bluestem, along with other invasive grasses, can cause considerable socioeconomic problems that include: increased mowing costs, intense wildfires, and lowering the aesthetic value of wildlife recreation. Unlike native plants of South Texas, Kleberg Bluestem does not have a dormant state and will continue to spread and push out

Most chaparral plants grow mainly in the spring. They take advantage of the winter rains penetrating to their roots and the long spring days. To cope for the dry soil in the summer plants these plants usually cope by becoming dormant. During this time they are very susceptible to fire. The evergreen nature of this plant allows it to keep its leaves and not use and energy to create new leaves. Because of this they can be photosynthesizing within minutes of a summer rain. These plants have adapted to use very little water and not lose any while at the same time trapping all the water it can.

The elevation, slope gradient, and slope aspect are all considered to determine an ecosystem classification. In this report the cuesta of Marlatt Park is the main landform. It is the result of erosion from water running over and below the soil surface. The topographical features observed in Marlatt Park shed a light on the existence of the two major sedimentary rocks, limestone and shale. They cause the alternating vales and escarpments on the cuestas at Marlatt Park, due to the difference in resisting erosional force (Keane, 2015). Limestone has more strength and is more erosion-resistant than shale. It is observed that the limestone layers form a gentler slope while the shale layers are more subject to erosion, forming steeper slopes (Keane,