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Plants Chaparral, or
Sclerophyll forest biomes, occur in Europe, Africa, Asia
Minor, North America, and South America. Chaparrals exist
between 30° and 40° North and South latitude on
the west coasts of continents. The favorable climatic
conditions which produce this biome includes shore areas
with nearby cold ocean currents. Mediterranean Chaparral
biome is localized in the coastal areas surrounding the
Mediterranean Sea including parts of Europe, North Africa,
and Asia Minor. This subtropical
Mediterranean biome, composed of shrub lands and woodlands
is called the maquis in Europe. Chaparral is the California
name for this biome. Cactus and other water storing plants
do well in this environment. The cacti often form dense
thickets. Most of the plant growth is leafy and relatively
short, less than eight feet tall. It is important for plants
to be drought resistant, to survive the short wet winters
and long dry summers. The geography of this region begins at
the seashore and extends through rolling farmlands, with
grazing and cultivation, into the mountains. The climate in
this area is unique with the wet season occurring in winter.
Many plants that do well in other European areas are unable
to thrive in this Mediterranean biome due to the summer
drought, with annual rainfall of only 15-40 inches.
Temperatures are affected by cold ocean currents and fog,
limiting the growing season. Shrubs and low
growing vegetation are the main components of this biome. In
some areas the growth extends to larger trees and hard leaf
forests, as well as aromatic plants. The vegetation must be
hardy and drought resistant and will include evergreens,
cacti, olive and fruit trees, and cork oak, among others.
Small hard needles are an asset in this environment, as well
as plants with small leathery leafs. Aromatic plants and
herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, sage, and oregano do well in
this biome. These aromatics do contain highly flammable oils
which could contribute to forest fires. The Mediterranean
biome houses many forms of wildlife such as wild goats,
sheep, cattle, mouflon, and horses. The land supports lynx,
wild boar, rabbits, vultures and three types of eagles. Many
small mammals, reptiles and insects inhabit this region.
Local people graze goats, sheep, cattle, donkeys, and horses
on this rugged land. This area is also known for the
breeding of the famous bullfighting bulls. Animals have adapted
to this sparse and rough terrain by becoming agile climbers,
foraging over larger areas, and varying their diet to
include the often scrubby brush lands. Plants have adapted
by storing water through thick bark or waxy coverings, and
by growing thorns to prevent animals from eating them.
Adaptations also include regeneration after fire. People have adapted
by grazing herds over large areas, even tying them to the
roadsides to make the most of the roadside vegetation.
Herding them from area to area to maintains adequate feeding
grounds for their herds. People profit by growing olives,
oranges, culinary herbs and harvesting cork. The Mediterranean
chaparral differs from similar areas in Australia and areas
adjacent to the Caspian Sea. Specialized plants and animals
have developed in these localities as well. For example, the
subtropical climate of Australia supports eucalyptus and the
koala that feed on it. The Caspian area supports antelope,
sand badgers, jerboas, and sand marmots which are not found
in the Mediterranean biome as described herein. Mediterranean
regions have long been impacted by humans especially through
the use of fire and livestock grazing. We know the
Mediterranean was formerly forested with live oaks, pines,
cedars, wild carob and wild olive. The shrub lands are more
extensive today than before aboriginal burning and Spanish
livestock grazing. Today the Spanish Mediterranean area
supports extensive olive groves, cork forests, cattle
farming and the production of sherry. by Kevin S.
2001
bibliography: Interview with
Michelle Segel about her horseback tour through Andalusia,
11/8/00 "Mediterranean
Chaparral" http://search.britanica.com
11/ 8 / 00 "Mediterranean
Chaparral" http://britannic.com
11/ 8/ 00 DK Guide to
Andalusia. New York: DK Publishing, Inc. 1996.
"Mediterranean
Chaparral", http://www.runet.edu/-swoodwar/classes/geog235/biomes/medit/medit.html,
(01/2/01)
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