Chaparral Plants/ Canyon Study

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Chaparral Plants/ Canyon Study

• Del Mar, CA
• Entry to Canyon study area facing towards the
  Northwest.
• Picture taken approximately 400 in the afternoon
  in May.

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Chaparral habitat destruction?

• Development and urbanization of San Diego is
  destroying much of the native Chaparral areas
• This area is just North of the TPHS football
  stadium

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Common Adaptations seen in Chaparral/Coastal Sage
Plants

• Waxy cuticles to prevent water loss
• Seasonal growth and defoliation adaptive strategy
  often used
• Typically low growing (less than 3meters)
• Many can retain/store water in woody stems, root
  balls, or succulent tissue.
• Reduced leaf surface area to prevent water loss
  via evaporation

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Common Coastal Sage Chaparral Plants
Put down your cell phone, open your eyes, and
take a look around you!
Coastal Sage Scrub Chaparral Plants are found
in only a few places in the WORLD!
Wow,plants are cool!
Amazing
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California Coastal Sage
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Ceanothus
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Baccaharis

• A native species common to this area.

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Prickly Pear Cactus

• Optunia sp.
• What types of adaptations does it have for living
  in this area???
• Edible, tasty fruit eaten by Native American
  populations

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Barrel Cactus

• Succulent
• Waxy cuticle
• Protective spines
• Both sexual and asexual reproduction

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Black Sage

• Very distinctive smell
• Requires little water
• Adapted for sunny arid climates

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Laurel Sumac
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Lemonade Berry Plant
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Monkey Flower (Mimulus sp.)
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Spice Bush
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Flowering Chamise
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Willow Tree
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Exotic Introductions
Me???

• Most common landscaping plants are exotic to San
  Diego
• Exotic species often lack predators
• Some exotic plants may outcompete native species
• Some exotic plants may vigorously spread to new
  areas

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Pampas Grass from South America (Argentina)
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Eucalyptus trees are typically from Australia
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Tamarisk over-utilizes ground water, and causes
many natural watering holes to go dry, killing
animals and out-competing native plant species.