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Flora
Many of the 2000 types of plants of the chaparral biome have hard small leaves that can hold significant amounts of moisture and water, and roots that can gather water more efficiently by spreading horizontally underground to catch more rain, and thick stronger roots which extend deep into the ground to collect ground water. Plants can also survive for long periods of time with little water. This ability to go without water and obtain large quantities of it is necessary as the plants rely on it when droughts occur, and this is why shrubs are plentiful in the chaparral as they can survive with little water.
Plants in the chaparral biome are peculiar as their leaves and bark on tress are very flammable, and since the chaparral biome is prone to bushfires they are frequently killed. However, this is an important part of the ecosystem as some plants bloom better and germinate after a fire due to the chemicals emitted in the smoke and the fires kill any dead plants, allowing for new healthy plants to grow. The fires are also an needed as they can kill intruding plant species that could pose a threat to the ecosystem, in terms of providing more competition which could kill native plants.
Common Plants include:
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Fauna
Animals in the chaparral biome are all grassland and desert type animals that have adapted to the dry and hot climate by being able to survive on little to none water. Animals of the chaparral biome can handle the extreme heat, however most animals are nocturnal and dig burrows underground to sleep during the day, escaping the heat. At night they hunt, gather etc.
Animals in the Chaparral biome include:
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