Chaparral Plants/ Canyon Study

1. Chaparral Plants/ Canyon Study • Del Mar, CA • Entry to Canyon study area facing towards the Northwest. • Picture taken approximately 4:00 in the afternoon in May.

2. 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

3. 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

5. 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

6. California Coastal Sage

7. Ceanothus

8. Baccaharis • A native species common to this area.

9. 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

10. Barrel Cactus • Succulent • Waxy cuticle • Protective spines • Both sexual and asexual reproduction

11. Black Sage • Very distinctive smell • Requires little water • Adapted for sunny & arid climates

12. Laurel Sumac

13. Lemonade Berry Plant

14. Monkey Flower (Mimulus sp.)

15. Spice Bush

16. Flowering Chamise

17. Willow Tree

18. 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

19. Pampas Grass from South America (Argentina)

20. Eucalyptus trees are typically from Australia

21. Tamarisk over-utilizes ground water, and causes many natural watering holes to go dry, killing animals and out-competing native plant species.