Glossary

chaparral

Chaparral is a fire-adapted plant community dominated by drought-tolerant evergreen shrubs and small trees. It typically occurs on dry slopes and ridgelines in California’s Mediterranean climate.

The vegetation is dense and shrubby, often thorny, making it difficult to walk through. Species are adapted to hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.

Many chaparral species regenerate after fire by resprouting from lignotubers or germinating from seeds, which are triggered by heat or smoke.

In the Santa Cruz Mountains, common chaparral plants include Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum), Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), several species of Manzanita (Arctostaphylos), and Mountain Lilac (Ceanothus).

These habitats support a diverse array of wildlife and play vital roles in erosion control, nutrient cycling, and post-fire regeneration.

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