Habitat Trips

Nearly all species I observed for this assignment possess some characteristic that deems them suited to either an evergreen moist forest or chaparral environment. For the moist evergreen forest, the two different species of salamander found under separate logs are to be expected in such an environment. Salamanders breath through their skin, making their entrenchment in moist places paramount. Millipedes live in similar moist conditions due to their susceptibility to water loss through their hard shell.The broad leaf of the stinging nettle may suggest its greater water absorption capabilities, making it more suited to moister environments. Although the lichen has no telling characteristics that I know of, it is commonly found attached to trees with its mossy photosynthetic partner.
For the chaparral environment, the three birds I observed there: the american robin, the dark-eyed junco, and the Stellar's Jay, all possess habitat characteristics encompassed by such an environment. While the American robin is found in both urban and more sparse environments (possibly living in the residences below), the Junco tends to favor chaparral vegetation as it provides suitable cover for their nests. The Stellar's Jay prefers mixed woodlands (like the Junco) and open spaces provided by common sparse chaparral vegetation like the observed California shrub oak and coyote brush. Both plants have small, waxy leaves to conserve water and mitigate transpiration during sunlight hours.

Posted on March 5, 2014 04:35 AM by dlimandri