San Dimas Experimental Forest

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Chaparral Ecology (under construction)

[Photo]: SDEF vegetation view

Fire is an ecosystem property, rather than an exogenous force in southern California chaparral, which interacts with processes of drought-mediated canopy development, production, and mortality to affect stability of community composition. Despite adaptations to survive prolonged drought stress and burning, recurrent fire now threatens the stability of the ecosystem.


Volfe Canyon side creek, USFS photo

[Photo]: Ceanothus section showing growth rings

Fire is
21 year-old Ceanothus basal section, USFS photo

[Photo]: Vegetation view of watershed 0802

Fire is
Watershed 0802, February 1980, USFS photo

[Photo]: Lodi Canyon, post-fire view

Fire is
Lodi Canyon, 1985, USFS photo