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Southern California: Geography, Climate, and Ecological Communities

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Southern California: Geography, Climate, and Ecological Communities

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    1. Southern California: Geography, Climate, and Ecological Communities

    2. Southern California over 50% of CA population 1/6 of state’s land area Greatest concentration of unique species in CA greatest # endangered species in continental U.S.

    3. Geography of Southern California Transverse ranges Santa Monica, San Gabriel, San Bernardino Mountains Peninsular ranges Santa Ana, San Jacinto, Laguna Mtns. Valleys San Fernando, San Gabriel, Santa Ana Rivers Los Angeles, San Gabriel, Santa Ana Link to mapLink to map

    4. Caused by Cold California current 34 deg. N latitude Combination of... Mediterranean Climate Long hot summers moderate winter precipitation Maritime Influence Gives a marine layer and a temperature inversion layer Southern California Climate Check latitudeCheck latitude

    5. The Climate of Southern California Annual precipitation : Variable from year to year, L.A. ave. 15” Increases with elevation Decreases from north to south Decreases with distance from ocean Most falls in winter months Temperature Moderate year-round average high: 75 F average low: 57 F

    7. Weather in L.A.: marine layer in summer months (May-Aug) marine layer Rainy season: November—April Pacific storms push cold fronts across California 92% of our rainfall rainy season storms alternate with dry periods 10-30 individual storms per season Snow at high elevations Current weather image

    8. Rainy season: November--April Eastern Pacific high pressure ridge displaced to south When cold air is aloft, marine layer breaks down Lets Pacific storms push cold fronts across California 92% of our rainfall rainy season storms alternate with dry periods 10-30 individual storms per season Snow at high elevations Current weather image Weather in L.A.: the “Wet” Season in Winter

    9. Winter Storms in Southern California 1900-1943 many storms hit S.California about same frequency as rest of state led to flood control measures (river channelization) 1943-1992 extreme rainfalls only 5 times (14 statewide) BUT heavy rainfalls in ‘90’s (92, ‘93, ‘95, ‘97, ‘98) wettest decade since 1930’s, 1940’s

    10. Most rain in 1 day: 26.12 inches on slopes of Mount Wilson January 23, 1943 Other big storms 2.60” in 1hr 1/4/95 in Long Beach 0.65” in 1 min. 4/3/26, north of Mount Wilson

    11. Temperature change with distance from coast

    13. Southern California Seasons

    14. Classification of Biological Communities California Communities Extreme range of climate and vegetation System devised by Munz and Keck in 1959 and is still in use Based on dominant plant species in each area Examples: Joshua Tree Woodland and the Coastal Redwood Forest

    15. Southern California Communities Coastal Sage Scrub Chaparral Riparian Woodland Oak Woodland Montane forest Alpine tundra

    16. Biotic Zonation in Southern California

    17. Riparian Woodland

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