chaparral

chaparral

chaparral , type of plant community in which shrubs are dominant. It occurs usually in regions having from 10 to 20 in. (25–50 cm) of rainfall annually and with a Mediterranean-type climate. Where the rate of evaporation is high, chaparral may be found where the rainfall is well above 20 in. Generally chaparral country has most of its rainfall in the winter. The vegetation includes both evergreen and deciduous forms, the dominant species varying in different areas. Chaparral is well exemplified in parts of the W and SW United States, although similar growth is found in many parts of the world. Climax areas (see ecology ) are represented by the largely deciduous growths in Colorado, E Utah, and N New Mexico. A subclimax area extends from South Dakota to Texas and through part of the Great Basin. Among the chief species of plants in these regions are Gambel oak ( Quercus utahensis ), mountain mahogany ( Cercocarpus parvifolius ), squawbush ( Rhus trilobata ), western chokeberry ( Prunus demissa ), western serviceberry ( Amelanchier alnifolia ), and mesquite ( Prosopis glandulosa ). Evergreen shrubs are characteristic of the chaparral found in the southern half of California, especially near the coast, and extending into Nevada and Arizona. Among the dominant forms are several species of buckthorn ( Ceanothus ), manzanita ( Arctostaphylos tomentosa and A. pungens ), and the holly-leaved cherry ( Prunus ilicifolia ). A species of scrub oak ( Quercus dumosa ) is the chief deciduous form. Chaparral growth is sometimes so dense that it is almost impenetrable.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"chaparral." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"chaparral." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-chaparra.html

"chaparral." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-chaparra.html

Learn more about citation styles

chaparral

chaparral The sclerophyllous scrub of west California and adjacent regions. Like other sclerophyllous scrub in regions with Mediterranean-type climates, much of the chaparral has been derived by a combination of burning and other factors from an earlier forest cover.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

MICHAEL ALLABY. "chaparral." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "chaparral." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-chaparral.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "chaparral." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-chaparral.html

Learn more about citation styles

chaparral

chaparral The sclerophyllous vegetation of west California and adjacent regions. Like other sclerophyllous scrub in regions with Mediterranean-type climates, much of the chaparral has been derived by some disturbance, principally burning, of an earlier forest cover.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

MICHAEL ALLABY. "chaparral." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "chaparral." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-chaparral.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "chaparral." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-chaparral.html

Learn more about citation styles

Chaparral

Chaparral ˌʃæpəˈræl MIM-72 a short-range low-altitude surface-to-air missile, consisting of a turret mounted on a tracked vehicle carrying four ready-to-fire missiles. The air-to-air equivalent is the Sidewinder.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"Chaparral." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Chaparral." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-Chaparral.html

"Chaparral." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-Chaparral.html

Learn more about citation styles

chaparral

chap·ar·ral / ˌshapəˈral/ • n. vegetation consisting chiefly of tangled shrubs and thorny bushes.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"chaparral." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"chaparral." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-chaparral.html

"chaparral." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-chaparral.html

Learn more about citation styles

chaparral

chaparralAl, bacchanal, cabal, canal, Chagall, Chantal, chaparral, gal, grand mal, Guadalcanál, Hal, La Salle, mall, Natal, pal, pall-mall, petit mal, sal, shall, Val •Iqbal • Parsifal • mescal • decal •caracal • Amytal • Nembutal •Pentothal

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"chaparral." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"chaparral." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-chaparral.html

"chaparral." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-chaparral.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

Chaparral spring.(WESTERN WANDERINGS)
Magazine article from: Sunset; 4/1/2006
Chaparral, United ink $1.8 bln merger deal.(Chaparral Energy )(United...
Newspaper article from: The Oil Daily; 10/14/2009
CHAPARRAL NETWORK STORAGE INTRODUCES RAID CONTROLLERS.(Product Announcement)
Newspaper article from: Electro Manufacturing; 4/1/2000

Facts and information from other sites

chaparral images
chaparral. (Image by Antandrus, GFDL)