Briones

Question 1

Sagebrush

Answer 1

Appearance: Sagebrush is a woody shrub that typically reaches a height of 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 meters). It has multiple branches and a bushy, rounded shape. The leaves are narrow, silvery-gray or green, and typically have three lobes, giving them a distinctive appearance.

Foliage: The leaves of sagebrush are small, alternate, and highly aromatic. They are covered in fine hairs and have a strong, pungent scent. The aroma is often described as a combination of earthy, spicy, and herbal notes.

In grasslands

Question 2

Buck Eye

Answer 2

Leaves: Buckeye trees typically have palmately compound leaves with 5 to 7 leaflets radiating from a central point. The leaflets are lance-shaped and serrated along the edges. The leaves are bright green during the growing season and turn yellow or reddish in the fall before dropping.

Buckeye trees can vary in size, but they are generally small to medium-sized trees,

Flowers: Buckeye trees produce tall, upright clusters of showy, tubular-shaped flowers in the spring. The flowers are often cream or yellow in color, and they have a distinctive, pleasant fragrance. The flower clusters are usually called “panicles.”

Fruit: One of the most distinctive features of buckeye trees is their fruit, known as “buckeyes” or “horse chestnuts.” These are large, round, shiny, and inedible seeds enclosed in spiky, leathery capsules. The seeds are brown and resemble the eye of a deer, hence the name “buckeye.

In woodlands

Question 3

Blue Oak

Answer 3

Leaves: Blue oak leaves are lobed and have a unique blue-gray or bluish-green color, which distinguishes them from other oak species. The leaves are typically oval with 3 to 5 deep lobes and a waxy coating that gives them their distinctive color.

Blue oaks are medium-sized trees

Acorns

In Woodlands

Question 4

Coyote Bush

Answer 4

Leaves: The leaves of the coyote bush are small and narrow, usually lance-shaped or elliptical. They are green and often have serrated or toothed edges. The leaves are arranged alternately along the stems.

Flowers: Coyote bush produces small, inconspicuous flowers that are typically greenish or yellowish. These flowers are usually clustered in tight, dense clusters at the tips of the branches. They typically bloom in late summer and fall.

fruit: a small, dry, one-seeded achene.

In grasslands, and open woodlands

Question 5

Sticky Monkey Bush

Answer 5

The leaves are lance-shaped, glossy, and are often covered in glandular hairs that make them feel sticky to the touch.

Flowers: The most distinctive feature of sticky monkey flowers is their showy, tubular-shaped flowers. These flowers can be orange, red, yellow, or pink, depending on the specific variety. The flowers have a lower lip that serves as a landing platform for pollinators and an upper lip that often has spots or stripes. They bloom in late spring and early summer, attracting hummingbirds and various pollinators.

fruit: small, capsule-like structures filled with numerous tiny seeds

In Grasslands and Chaparral

Question 6

California Bay Leaves

Answer 6

Leaves: California bay laurel leaves are lance-shaped, evergreen, and highly aromatic. They are dark green and glossy, with a leathery texture. The leaves can be quite large, typically ranging from 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) in length and are arranged alternately along the branches. These leaves are often used as a culinary herb, known as “California bay leaves,” in a manner similar to the more common Mediterranean bay leaves.

California bay laurel can grow into a small to medium-sized tree

Flowers: The tree produces small, pale yellow to greenish-yellow flowers that grow in clusters. These flowers are inconspicuous but have a sweet fragrance. They bloom in spring.

fruit: small, green to brown, round or ovoid drupe (a fleshy fruit with a single seed) that contains a single hard seed

In woodlands

Question 7

Toyon

Answer 7

Leaves: Toyon has evergreen, glossy, and serrated leaves that are generally oval or lance-shaped. The leaves are dark green and can measure 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) in length.

Toyon typically grows as a shrub but can also develop into a small tree,

Flowers: Toyon produces small, white, five-petaled flowers in clusters that resemble those of apple or cherry blossoms. The flowers appear in late spring or early summer and are attractive to pollinators like bees.

Fruit: bright red, berry-like fruit

In woodlands and chaparral

Question 8

Coast Live Oak

Answer 8

Leaves: Coast live oak leaves are dark green, oval to elliptical, and have a leathery texture. They are typically 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 centimeters) long, with smooth margins and a glossy upper surface. The leaves are often holly-like, with spiny teeth on the margins, though some trees may have smoother-edged leaves.

Coast live oaks are medium to large trees

Acorns

In chaparral and woodlands

Question 9

Valley Oak

Answer 9

The leaves are deeply lobed with 3 to 5 rounded lobes, bright green and turn yellow or brown in the fall before dropping

Valley oaks are large trees

Acorns

In lower elevations

Question 10

Blue Elderberry

Answer 10

Leaves: The leaves of the blue elderberry are pinnately compound, consisting of 5 to 11 leaflets. The leaflets are serrated and have a medium to dark green color, with a slightly glossy appearance.

Size: Blue elderberries typically grow as shrubs but can occasionally reach the size of a small tree

Flowers: The shrub produces clusters of small, creamy white to yellowish flowers in the spring. These fragrant flowers are attractive to pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.

Fruit: The most distinctive feature of the blue elderberry is its bluish-black, berry-like fruit. These berries are small, spherical, and have a sweet-tart flavor when fully ripe.

In woodlands, chaparral

Question 11

Goose Berrry

Answer 11

Leaves: Gooseberry shrubs have lobed, palmate leaves with several deep, rounded lobes that resemble the shape of a goose’s foot. The leaves are typically medium to dark green in color and are arranged alternately along the stems. Some species have thorny branches.

Berries: The berries are the most distinctive feature of gooseberry shrubs. Gooseberries are typically small, round to oval, and come in various colors, including green, red, yellow, or purple. The berries have a slightly translucent or matte appearance, and they are covered in fine, tiny hairs, giving them a slightly prickly or fuzzy texture.

Flowers: Gooseberry shrubs produce small, bell-shaped or tubular flowers in clusters. The flowers can be green, white, or pink, depending on the species or cultivar. They typically bloom in the spring.

Size: Shrub

Question 12

Big Leaf Maple

Answer 12

Leaves: As the name suggests, bigleaf maple has large, palmately lobed leaves,

In forests, and woodlands

Question 13

Woodland

Answer 13

Woodlands are characterized by the presence of trees or shrubs, but these are not as densely packed as in forests. Trees in woodlands are often scattered or occur in small groups rather than forming a continuous canopy. Have oen spaces

Question 14

Forest

Answer 14

Abundance of Trees: One of the defining characteristics of a forest is the presence of a significant number of trees.

Question 15

Savannah

Answer 15

Savannahs are primarily characterized by a dominant grassy ground cover. Tall grasses, such as various species of African grasses like elephant grass, typically make up the majority of the vegetation.

Question 16

grassland

Answer 16

The most defining characteristic of grasslands is the predominance of grasses and herbaceous plants. These plants make up the majority of the ground cover, creating a landscape of waving grasses. Unlike forests, grasslands have few or scattered trees or shrubs. If trees are present, they are often found along watercourses or in localized groves rather than forming a continuous canopy

Question 17

chaparral

Answer 17

Shrubby Vegetation: The dominant vegetation in chaparral ecosystems consists of woody shrubs, small trees, and low-lying plants. These plants are often adapted to withstand drought and have small, tough leaves that help reduce water loss.

Question 18

Burl

Answer 18

A burl is an abnormal growth or deformity found on the trunk or branches of certain tree species. It is a rounded, knotty, and often irregularly shaped growth that can vary in size, ranging from a few inches to several feet in diameter. Burls typically form as a result of some form of stress, injury, or infection, and they can be found both above and below ground. Here are some key characteristics and information about burls:

Question 19

Riparian

Answer 19

The term “riparian” relates to the interface or transitional area between land and a body of water, such as a river, stream, lake, or wetland. Riparian areas are ecologically important and serve as a unique and valuable habitat where land and water ecosystems intersect. They are found along the banks or shores of water bodies and are characterized by their proximity to water.

Question 20

Fire-cycle

Answer 20

A fire cycle refers to the recurring pattern or interval at which wildfires or prescribed fires naturally occur in a particular ecosystem or landscape. Fire cycles are an important aspect of fire ecology, as they influence the vegetation, wildlife, and ecological processes in a given area.

Question 21

What is the Impact of introduced species on native ecological communities

Answer 21

The introduction of non-native or invasive species can have significant and often detrimental impacts on native ecological communities. These impacts can disrupt the balance of ecosystems, threaten native species, and alter ecological processes.

Question 22

North slope vs. South slope with summer fog

Answer 22

North Slope with Summer Fog:

Geographic Orientation: The north slope typically faces away from the equator or towards the poles. In the Northern Hemisphere, the north slope would face north.

Fog Formation: North slopes tend to experience summer fog when cool, moist air from the ocean is pushed up against a landmass, leading to the condensation of water vapor into fog. This phenomenon often occurs along coastal areas with prevailing winds from the ocean.

Temperature: The presence of summer fog can moderate temperatures on the north slope. During the day, the fog can block direct sunlight, resulting in cooler daytime temperatures. At night, the fog can act as a blanket, trapping heat and preventing extreme temperature drops.

Moisture: Summer fog provides a source of moisture for plants and ecosystems, reducing the reliance on precipitation. This can be particularly beneficial for vegetation, especially in arid or semi-arid regions.

Vegetation: North slopes with summer fog often support a unique array of vegetation. The cooler, moister conditions can favor the growth of plants adapted to these microclimates, such as coastal redwoods in California.

South Slope with Summer Fog:

Geographic Orientation: The south slope faces towards the equator. In the Northern Hemisphere, the south slope would face south.

Fog Formation: While summer fog is more commonly associated with north slopes along coastal areas, it is less typical on south slopes. South slopes may experience less fog and a different climatic regime.

Temperature: South slopes generally receive more direct sunlight during the day and cooler temperatures at night due to the absence of fog-induced cooling. This can result in more significant temperature fluctuations.

Moisture: The lack of summer fog on south slopes may mean that these areas are more reliant on precipitation for moisture. Water availability can be more variable, impacting local ecosystems and water resources.

Vegetation: South slopes with less frequent fog may support vegetation adapted to drier, sunnier conditions. The plant species and communities on south slopes can differ from those on north slopes.

Question 23

Elevation effect with oak tree species

Answer 23

elevation is a critical factor that shapes the distribution, composition, and characteristics of oak tree species. Different oak species have specific elevation ranges where they are most commonly found. Elevation affects temperature and precipitation patterns. As you move to higher elevations, temperatures generally become cooler, and the distribution of precipitation may change

Question 24

Soil and chaparral vs. grasslands

Answer 24

Chaparral soils are often relatively poor in nutrients. These soils are well-drained and may have low organic matter content, which can limit the availability of essential nutrients for plant growth.

Fertile Soils: Grasslands often have more fertile soils compared to chaparral areas. Grasslands may have rich topsoils with higher organic matter content, making them more nutrient-rich and supportive of plant growth. But have faster and worse fires.