Abiotic Factors
Abiotic Factor - An aspect of the environment that is not living
Temperatures
Temperatures in the Chaparral biome are typically very hot during the day and cool to cold at night. Summer days can see temperatures of 15° to 30° degrees. Winter days are cooler, ranging from 4° to 20° degrees. The Chaparral biome has an average temperature of 18° degrees.
Rainfall
The Chaparral biome is relatively dry and receives only 25 to 44 cm of rain a year, predominantly in the winter rain season. Summer sees approximately 0 to 5 cm of rain and because of this droughts are commonplace.
Light
Similar to deserts, the Chaparral biome has a very low moisture content in the air and as such clouds rarely form. Light in the Chaparral biome is constant and bright.
Geographical Characteristics
Located near coastlines, Chaparral biomes are geographically varied and cover a large range of terrain, from forests, shrublands and plains, to rocky mountains and hillsides. Another characteristic of the Chaparral biome is its tendency to intersect with deserts and other arid biomes. Nearly all Chaparral biomes lie within a area of westerly wind and as such tend to form on the west side of continents.
Seasons
The Chaparral biome has two main seasons: a hot and dry summer season that lasts for around five months and a wet winter. The winter season is when virtually all of the biome's rainfall occurs.
Landscape And Terrain
Terrain in the Chaparral biome is characterised as being rocky and dry, with poor soil quality and little moisture. The Chaparral biome ranges across a large variety of terrain and as such it houses numerous species of both animal and plant life.
Soil
The soil of the biome is typically dry and dusty, with little nutrients. The soil is vulnerable to erosion due to its fine nutrient poor nature. Below the layer of soil is typically a thin layer of clay or rock. The soil conditions make it very difficult for any vegetation to grow.
Humidity
The Chaparral biome has a low humidity year round, but it rises somewhat during the winter months when more moisture is present.
Altitude
The Chaparral biome typically ranges from sea level up to altitudes of 1500 meters, although it can be found at altitudes as high as 2000 meters. It is typically found in low altitude areas as it forms near coastlines, but it can reach up to higher elevations. Due to the variety and wide range of geographical areas in which the biome is located there is a large difference between the maximum and minimum altitude.
Wildfires
Wildfires play a significant part in the ecosystem of the Chaparral environment. Fire is common due to the dry, moistureless nature of the environment. Many plant species rely on wildfires to renew soil by recycling its nutrients and to assist them in growth.