Research/Project Results

Chaparral Biome:

California, United States

 

Typical view of the study area.

 

School: Poway Elementary School

Student Science Fair Project: Patrick Toney
 

    This study was completed by Patrick Toney. He collected data through a series of 7 hikes through 4 different areas of chaparral biome, from January 28, 1999 to April 24, 1999. Places that he hiked included:

1. Sliverset - Twin Peaks Trail

2. Goodin Ranch

3. Lake Hodges

4. Chaparral Ecosystem Torrey Pines

    During these hikes Patrick recorded the types of biota that he saw. Patrick took photographs using an Olympus camera and imported the photographs to his computer. He also researched climatic conditions that were common for this area and made a list of endangered/threatened species that he saw during his hikes. What follows are his results.

 

 

Abiotic Site Description

Type of Ecosystem: Chaparral Riparian (Creek/River) Ecosystem

Latitude: 32 degrees north

Longitude: 118 degrees west

Sunlight: bright sun

 

The Chaparral biome is typified by having mild winters and hot dry summers. Droughts are common during the summer. The annual rainfall is only 15 cm to 22 cm (6 to 9 inches). Plants and animals have special adaptations to this hot dry climate.

 

Biotic Site Description: Animal Data

Most Commonly Occurring Animals
  Mammals Birds Reptiles Insects
1 Cotton Tail Rabbit Mourning Dove Rattlesnake Ladybug
2 Coyote Finch Alligator Lizard Praying Mantis
3 Racoon Scrub Jay Gardner Snake Paled Wing Grasshopper
4 Mule Deer Red Wing Black Bird Blue Belly Lizard Wooly Bear
5 Opossum Snowy Egret Rosy Boa Hairy Ant
6 Kangaroo Rat Red Tailed Hawk Horned Toad Caterpillar
7 Wood Rat Vulture   Cabbage Butterfly
8 Gopher Roadrunner   Honey Bee
9 Jack Rabbit Quail   Carpenter Bee
10 Peccary White Tailed Kite  

Paper Wasp

This is a coyote den, nestled in among the rocks. A White Tailed Kite is roosting at the top of the tree.

 

Biotic Site Description: Plant Data

Most Common Trees, Shrubs and Cacti Seen on Hikes
1 Greaseweed Chamise
2 Ceanothus
3 Manzanita
4 Mountain Mahogany
5 Poison Oak
6 Scrub Oak
7 Live Oak
8 Sycamore Tree
9 Toyon
10 Yucca Wiplei (Our Lord's Candle)

Ceanothus in bloom, showing bright blue flowers. Sycamore trees near a creek in riparian ecosystem.

During Patrick's hikes the following endangered, or threatened, species were seen: White Tailed Kite, Horned Toad, Peccary, Desert Weasel.

All photographs taken by Patrick Toney

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jcord@eagle.ca