The ScrublandsWild, Mild, and Beautiful

Mrs. Carter

Where in the world are the Scrublands?

Scrublands occupy less than 5% of earth’s total land massMostly between 30° and 40° latitude North and South of the Equator

Scrubland Aliases

Maquis in Europe

Matorral in Chile

Mallee in Australia

Fynbos in South Africa

Chaparral in the Southwestern United States

Terrain of the Scrublands

Extremely varied even on one continent

Coastal plains

Furrowed valleys

Rolling hills

Rocky mountains

Climate of the Scrublands

Often called a Mediterranean ClimateMild, wet wintersAverage winter temp 50°F15-25 inches of rain during winter months

Climate of the Scrublands

Hot, dry summers

Average temperature 64°F, but may reach 100°F

Very little rain

Drought and fire common

Threats to the Scrublands

Development threatens remaining wild areas

Fire most dangerous natural threat – but also required for biome health

California Chaparral wildfires made worse by Santa Ana winds

Threats to the Scrublands

Invasive plant species primary carrier of wildfire

Frequent fires increase non-native plant species

Red Brome & Cheatgrass

Invasive

Plant Species

Threats to the Scrublands

Scrublands -- fire adapted biome

Native flora – regenerates when fire frequency is >15 years

Threats to the Scrublands

Fire destroys ground cover

Mudslides – secondary natural threat

Scrubland Plants

Shrubs most common plant form

Small leaves, waxy coating retain water

Deep tap roots, shallow root system maximize water retention

Chaparral Yucca

Native to the New World

Can only be pollinated by the Yucca moth

Takes 6 to 7 years for plant to produce blooms, then it dies

Flowers bloom in spring -- can be 12 feet tall

Manzanita

Native perennial shrub of Sierra Chaparral

Seeds will not germinate unless burned

Fire suppression = no new growth Manzanita

Used to treat mild urinary tract infections and kidney inflammations

Saltmarsh Bird’s Beak

Annual plant – lives for only one year

Semi-parasitic – uses pickleweed and salt grass to extend growing season

Grows only in saltmarshes of the San Diego County California Chaparral

Endangered species

King Protea

Native to South Africa

National flower of South Africa

Flower can measure 1 foot across

Takes in moisture through its leaves

Endangered – few grow wild – most cultivated

Olive Tree

Oldest known cultivated tree

Some trees live for a thousand years

Requires hot dry summers and slightly chilly winters to produce fruit

Small leaves with protective coating reduces transpiration

Scrubland Animals

Adapt habits to avoid heat of summer days

Possess physical adaptations for cooling and protection from extreme heat and dryness

Dietary habits maximize water retention

Threatened by loss of habitat

Cape Grysbok

Endemic to South African fynbos

Related to the antelope

Only 25 pounds and 21 inches tall

Nocturnal

Can go for long periods without water

Iberian Lynx

Native to Spain’s Mediterranean Maquis

Endangered -- fewer than 1,000 left in the world

Only 250 mature animals capable of breeding exist

Decline due to loss of habitat and prey

San Joachim Kit Fox

Native to San Joachim Valley

Nocturnal

Prey includes ground squirrels, gophers, birds, rabbits, insects

Predators include coyotes, red foxes and man

Large ears help animal keep cool

Threatened

Black Tailed Jackrabbit

Misnamed – really a hare

Large ears help regulate body heat

Soles of feet covered in fur – protection against scorching

Eat food, excrete it, then eat their excrement to retain as much moisture as possible through food

Cactus Wren

Largest wren in the United States

Breed in successional Chaparral scrub (scrub regenerating after fire)

Do not migrate

Very territorial

Insects – main food source

Save the Scrublands

Scrubland only occupies 5% of the earth’s total land mass

Scrubland supports 20% of the earth’s plants species

Small isolated areas on five continents

Each area is unique

The Australian Mallee

Save the Scrublands

The Fynbos -- home to 6,000 plants that can’t be found anywhere else in the world

Over 1,000 species are endangered

The South African Fynbos

Save the Scrublands

Urban sprawl, agriculture, extensive grazing -- major threats

1,500 endemic plant species

15 endemic bird species The Chilean Matorral

Save the Scrublands

Scrublands around the world – rapidly disappearing due to development

Scrubland biome – in danger of being lost forever

The Mediteranean Maquis

Works CitedArmstrong, W. P. The Yucca and Its Moth. 2000. Date Retreived 20 Feb. 2007

http://waynesword.palomar.edu/ww0902a.htm

California Chaparral and Woodlands. 2001. World Wildlife Fund. Date Retrieved 20 Feb 2007. http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/g200/g121.html

Chaparral. 2000. Date Retrieved 20 Feb. 2007. http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/chaparral.htm

Chaparral. Date Retrieved 20 Feb. 2007. http://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/nceas-web/kids/biomes/chaparral.htm

Chaparral and Fire. 2006. California Native Plant Society. 20 Feb. 2007. http://www.cnps.org/programs/education/chaparral.htm

Chillean Matorral. 2001. World Wildlife Fund. Date Retrieved 20 Feb. 2007. http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/g200/g122.html

Desert Scrub. 2003. Explore Biodiversity and The Wild Classroom. Date Retrieved 20 Feb. 2007. http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/biomes/desertscrub.html

Mediterranean Scrublands. 1996. Date Retrieved 20 Feb. 2007.http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/medit/medit.html