Sunol Field Trip. Local Plant Communities

Transcription

1 Sunol Field Trip Local Plant Communities

2 Populations All of the organisms of one kind in an area. All of the people in this room constitute a population.

3 Communities The populations of various species (all the organisms) living in a particular region or habitat. Characterize by the organisms present. Dominant species - influential Most numerous and/or the largest. Often the community is named after the dominant species. Example - redwood forest

4 Redwood Forest The trees have a great effect on the community. They create shade which limits which plants can grow with the redwoods. They must be shade tolerant. The redwoods are not a good source of food for animals. This limits the number of animals present.

5 What determines which community is where? Climate Light Temperature Water Soil

6 Sunol communities that we will see: Riparian Grassland Oak woodland

7 Sunol communities (continued). Note the mosaic of oak woodland (dark green) and grassland (light brown) on the hills. The dark brown area is coastal scrub. The trees which are on the right are part of the riparian community.

8 Riparian Streamside From ripa, Latin for stream bank or riparius, growing along bank. Along permanent streams and rivers Has been systematically destroyed by flood control channels, rice paddies.

9 Riparian (continued). Typical plants have large leaves. Large leaves allow for maximum exposure to the sun for photosynthesis. Most water loss from plants is from the leaves. In dry areas, large leaves are a disadvantage. In the riparian community, however, there is a constant supply of water

10 Riparian Community Along Alameda Creek in Sunol

11 Riparian (continued). Trees are usually deciduous. They lose their leaves in the late summer or fall. May be jungle-like in summer. Abundant wildlife. Why? Cover Food Water

12 Riparian (continued). Plants we are likely to see: In the water, cattails On the edge, willows, white alder. Further back, cottonwood, big-leaf maple, California sycamore (pictured on the right).

13 Grassland In the past the dominant grasses were native perennial bunch grasses. Perennial - lives year after year. Can be woody like a tree or can come up every year like a tulip. The grasses came up every year. Bunch - the leaves are in clumps.

14 Grassland (continued) Replaced by alien, annual, European grasses. Alien - introduced, not native. Annual - sprouts from a seed, grows, produces flowers, seeds and dies. Sprouts the next year from a seed.

15 Grassland (continued) Hills were green longer with the originals. No shrubs or trees. Why? Wildflowers in the spring.

16 Vernal pools Often found in depressions in grassland areas where the water doesn t drain. Temporary ponds that fill with water in winter then dry up in the spring. May see rings of flowers. Those closest to the water are the most tolerant of wet soil. Some plants are endemic to vernal pools. Endemic = found in only one area.

17 Oak Woodland Note the oak woodland community in the gullies. Grassland is on the hilltops.

18 Oak Woodland Dominant plants are oak trees; Blue, valley, coast live (pictured on the right), interior live. live = evergreen In addition to the oaks: Bull, foothill, or gray pine (pictured on the right). California buckeye

19 Oak Woodland Trees may be scattered or be dense. Under the trees, grasses and shrubs.

20 Use of a key. We are going to use a simple key to identify the plants. It is the Pacific Coast Tree Finder by Tom Watts.

21 Use of a key (Continued). Your instructor will lend you a copy. If you are interested in buying it, you can order it from Amazon.com or Sunrise Mountain Sports in Livermore usually carries it. It costs about $3.95.

22 Use of a key (Continued). Begin on page 6. Read the two alternatives and select the one which applies. Go to the page and the symbol specified. Continue reading the two alternatives and selecting the best until your arrive at the name of the plant.

23 Names of organisms. Common names and Latin names Problems with common names: A plant may have more than one. Will vary with the language of the speaker. The same name may be used for two or more plants. Latin names consist of a genus name and a species name. How they are correctly written: Pinus sabiniana or Pinus sabiniana, gray or foothill pine.

24 Assignment Read the handouts prior to the field trip. Bio 31 - Read pp. 6-9, , 726 in Mader. Bot 1 - Read pp in the Supplement before the trip. Pp explain what you are going to do. Read in the text, online 31-1, 32-2 to 32-8, to 32-17, to You will have to turn in a field report, if you are in Botany 1 The report will be due one week from the date of the trip.

25 What to Bring: Flat shoes Long pants Water Sun screen, hat Insect repellant Something to take notes on/with.

26 Watch out for this plant! This is poison oak. Note the three leaflets which make up the leaf. Many people have allergic reactions to the oil which it produces. If you come in contact with the leaves or branches, wash with cool water and soap as soon as possible.

27 Where/when: Handouts Get them from your instructor and read them prior to the trip. A map is included in your handouts. Meet at the barrier in the road near the rest rooms Time - your instructor will specify.

28 Visitor Center Check out the Visitor Center before you leave. 1/11/10