Introduction to California Chaparral (California Natural History Guides, #90)

The characteristic look of California Chaparral--a soft bluish-green blanket of vegetation gently covering the hills--is known to millions who have seen it as the backdrop in movies and television productions. This complex ecological community of plants and animals is not just a feature of the hills around Hollywood, but is a quintessential part of the entire California landscape. It is a highly resilient community adapted to life with recurring fires and droughts. Written for a wide audience, this concise, engaging, and beautifully illustrated book describes an ancient and exquisitely balanced environment home to wondrous organisms: Fire Beetles that mate only on burning branches, lizards that shoot blood from their eyes when threatened, Kangaroo Rats that never drink water, and seeds that germinate only after a fire, even if that means waiting in the soil for a 100 years or more. Useful both as a field guide and an introductory overview of the ecology of chaparral, it also provides a better understanding of how we might live in harmony, safety, and appreciation of this unique ecological community. Identifies chaparral's common plants, animals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects Features 79 color illustrations, 56 black-and-white photographs, and 3 maps Examines the role of humans and fire in chaparral, covering the placement and design of homes, landscaping, and public policy The characteristic look of California chaparral--a soft bluish-green blanket of vegetation gently covering the hills--is known to millions who have seen it as the backdrop in movies and television productions, but this complex ecological community of plants and animals is a quintessential part of the entire California landscape. It is a highly resilient community adapted to life with recurring fires and droughts. Written for a wide audience, this book identifies chaparral's common plants, animals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects, and examines the role of humans and fire in chaparral. Useful both as a field guide and an introductory overview of the ecology of chaparral, it also provides a better understanding of how we might live in harmony, safety, and appreciation of this unique ecological community.--From publisher description CONTENTS......Page 8 PREFACE......Page 12 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS......Page 14 1 THE CALIFORNIA CHAPARRAL......Page 18 2 MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE......Page 38 3 FIRE......Page 60 4 PLANTS......Page 92 5 ANIMALS......Page 186 6 LIVING WITH THE CHAPARRAL......Page 268 GLOSSARY......Page 310 SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS AND REFERENCES......Page 316 ART CREDITS......Page 320 INDEX......Page 322 ABOUT THE AUTHORS......Page 340 The characteristic look of California Chaparral - a soft bluish-green blanket of vegetation gently covering the hills - is known to millions who have seen it as the backdrop in movies and television productions. This book shows how this complex ecological community of plants and animals is a quintessential part of the entire California landscape.