Synthesis Essay On Chaparral Biome

Synthesis Essay One: Chaparral
Jake Nokes Student K00701244 ([e-mail]) Login: Saki

Question A
The chaparral biome is found in small parts of most continents, central and southern California, parts of the southwest United States, the area adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea, and areas of southern Australia, South Africa and Chile. The chaparral area in Santa Barbara County is the fourth largest in California in terms of acreage. Chaparral communities occur between 200 and 5000 feet elevation and are located between 32 and 41 degrees either north or south of the equator. Their location is determined by the Mediterranean climate in regions around the world and is characterized as being very hot and dry with mild winters. Annual
Santa Barbara’s chaparral community is a strong example of California’s native landscape. It provides protection against erosion, allows underground water supplies to accumulate, helps to moderate local climates and provides an important habitat for a wide assortment of animals. Chaparral geography changes with climate patterns, soil type, wildfire regime, and other habitat characteristics. The near desert conditions in this area are moderated by the cold Pacific Ocean, which supports the dense chaparral vegetation. The rocky mountains of the Santa Barbara community contain a lot of vegetation that has to be well adapted to short rainy seasons, and hot, dry summers. Many species of small mammals, birds, snakes, and lizards live in the chaparral community. The chaparral is a dense forest of plants and small trees, which make it hard for larger animals such as the deer, mountain lions, and coyotes to live in the dense area so they have to live in the less dense areas or on the edges. The main controlling factor over the characteristics of the dry summer subtropical climate is the alternating influence of the subtropical high-pressure cells in summer and westerlies during the winter. The Mediterranean areas of California are constricted to the east by mountains close to the
When in season, the filled, white blossoms reveal the coverage of C. megacarpus on the southern slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains. This plant is able to be successful in chaparral communities because of its ability to gather water from deep pockets in the area surrounding them and is able conserve what is gained. The Ceanothus magacarpus shrub shades the ground to the drip line of the plant, reducing evaporation from the soil and reducing the competition for water around the area. The arrangement of photosynthesis cells allows the plant to receive a larger light-gathering surface. The Ceanothus magacarpus leaf formation provides a reflective surface and reduces airflow, reducing evaporation. The lower surface of the leaf contains trichomes, which are hair like extensions that reflect light to reduce evaporation from the lower surface of the leaf. The leaves of the plant contain stomata within pits in the lower surface of the leaves. This allows the stomata to open and release oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, which reduces evaporation and water loss. The adaptation of these plants to the chaparral community allows it to be one of the most dominant plants in the Santa Barbara