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"Nature doesn't need people, people need nature" - Harrison Ford
"Nature doesn't need people, people need nature" - Harrison Ford
Water
Water
They provide us with water!
They provide us with water!
Cismontane ecosystems are valuable in managing California's waterhsed. The slopes provide runoff and filter water- providing around one trillion gallons of water a year!
Photo: Dunne and Leopold, 1978
Erosion Control
Erosion Control
Photo: Peter M. Wohlgemuth
They hold it down!
They hold it down!
Cismontane ecosystems are valuable for controlling the erosion of California's slopes. Native vegetation helps hold down the soil, effectively minimizing soil erosion. This protects our communities from landslides.
The loss of native vegetation creates slopes like this one - made up of eroded soil. These are more prone to landslides and increase sediment loads to nearby rivers, contaminating our water systems.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity
They are a hotspot!
They are a hotspot!
Cismontane communities are biodiversity hotspots! They host a variety of endemic species that cannot be found elsewhere. Did you know that San Diego County is the most biodiverse county in the country?
This map shows plant species richness in California chaparral habitats. As you can see, these areas have high levels of species diversity!
Photo: Halsey, R.W. & Keeley, J.E., 2016
Carbon Storage
Carbon Storage
Photo: Yoni Cooperman
They help us fight climate change!
They help us fight climate change!
Cismontane communities are important areas for storing carbon, which helps mitigate the effects of climate change and fossil fuel emissions. They store around 26 MILLION tons of carbon!
Recreation
Recreation
They are fun!
They are fun!
Cismontane communities are beautiful areas for recreation. There are numerous state and national parks extending across cismontane ecosystems. As shown in the statistics here, Californians enjoy regular hiking within chaparral habitats.
Photo: Garnache et al, 2018
References: Wilson, Bert. (2013, June 5). California Chaparral. Las Pilitas Nursery. Retrieved from https://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/communities/chaparralSlack, Gordy. (2003, April 1). Penetrating the Chaparral. Bay Nature Magazine. Retrieved from https://baynature.org/article/penetrating-the-chaparral/Allen, E.B., Williams, K., Beyers, J.L., Phillips, M., Ma, S., & D' Antonio, C.M. (n.d.). Chaparral Restoration. US Forest Service. Retrieved from https://www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/beyers/psw_2018_beyers001_allen.pdfOlson, David. (n.d.). California Interior Chaparral and Woodlands. World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved from https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/na1202
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