Introduction to California Chaparral

California Natural History Guides #90

by Ronald D. Quinn, Dr. Sterling Keeley, Marianne D. Wallace (Illustrator)

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 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

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Natural History, Ecology, Plants

344 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Scott Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent introduction to the climate, plants and animals of the California chaparral, one which provided much new information to this native Californian. For example, I did not know that Hollywood received its name from the native chaparral plant, California Holly or that the name chaparral comes from 'Chaps,' the leather leggings worn by Spanish horseback riders; or that "it has been recently discovered that Western Fence Lizards reduce the incidence of Lyme disease" from about 50% to 5% thanks to immunities within their blood system. At least one of the author's (Ronald Quinn) main concerns is how to live in or near chaparral (as does the author). There have been many well known fires in recent decades that have burned hundreds of thousands of acres, destroyed homes, and injured or killed many inhabitants. The author pleads for better planning, preventative methods, and necessary restrictions in the final chapter - - perhaps a must-read for all Californians who love being close to nature.

[Mark Saha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently bought this for research and found it enormously fascinating.

We live in chaparral country [California], but I never realized how powerfully it shapes our lives.

The life cycle of chaparral depends upon fire so "where there is chaparral there will eventually be fire". An incredible variety of animal and plant life waxes and wanes with the changing life cycle of the chaparral; a cycle begins with fire, followed by many years of re-growth in phases, until eventually there is once again fire. This cycle is driven by a Pacific High off California's coast that blocks storms in summer and gives us our Mediterranean climate.

Other areas of the world with Mediterranean climate are the Med itself, part of Chili's coast, South Africa, and part of Australia. In all these regions different plant species have by the phenomenon of evolutionary convergence (adaptation to a similar environment) come to resemble chaparral.

Color photos abound; space views of fires, images of beautiful but doomed homes built by idiots, and animal and plant life in the various phases of the chaparral cycle.

The book has high practical value in teaching Californians how to understand and live with the chaparral that affects their lives to an extent few realize.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a compelling overview of a terrain I never paid much attention to, even though it surrounds me. If you found yourself watching footage of the Station Fire last year and wanting more information about it, this is the book to get. There are some truly bizarre plants and animals, including the Fire Beetle that only lays eggs in smoldering chaparral shrubs, and the Wood Rat that builds a ten-foot hotel for dozens of other animals from twigs.



There's also a beautifully short and informative description of why California gets so little rain and what exactly causes the Santa Ana winds. The book ends with a consideration of how best to cohabit with a terrain that guarantees raging fires and floods, through policy and prevention. This is the first book I've read from the "California Natural History Guides" series from UC Press; on the strength of this one, I'll definitely get more.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little book about the chaparral nature in California! Written in 2006 but could have been written yesterday describing the wildfires and mudslides that accompany chaparral. If only the author’s fire prevention guidelines had been heeded back in 2006.
Learned all about the little birds and lizards in my yard.

[El Champion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, I love when nature ppl are trying to write objective fact, but can't take the awe and love out of their descriptions. makes me love the chaparral even more, loved getting to know my flora and fauna neighbors<3

[Peter Tillman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skimmed only, as it doesn't cover coastal scrub. Looks be to the usual good quality of these guidebooks. Worth checking out again for any planned winter/spring trips into the chaparral country.

[Marianne Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the California Natural History Guides from University of California Press. Specific information on ecology - including fire-dependent species - and on the most common chaparral plants and animals Very readable style. Color photographs of habitats and some species, excellent line drawings of plants and animals. Maps, charts, glossary, list of supplemental reading.