Document Type
Research Poster
Publication Date
4-22-2015
Abstract
In this experiment, we analyzed the difference in population frequencies of chaparral plants along the north and south aspect of a slope on Pepperdine University campus in the Santa Monica Mountains in Malibu, CA. We began the experiment by hypothesizing the south aspect would receive the most sunlight, and thus would hold the most amount of plants. By using the Point Quarter Sampling Method, we were able to determine if our hypothesis was correct. After analyzing our data, we found no significant difference between the north and south aspect in terms on frequency. During our experiment we also measured the difference in height and crown diameter. We found the two sides of the hill to be significantly different. The south aspect, because of its sun exposure and lack of water, sustains plants that can inhabit these environment, such as Quercus argrifolia and Ceanothus spinosus. On the other hand, the north aspect had smaller chaparral trees. It had a higher population of Malosma laurina, with a relative density of 62.5% on the north aspect in comparison to a relative density of 17.8% on the south aspect. Other plants that were common on the north aspect was Rhus integrefolia and Adenostoma fascultatum. Although hillsides along a north and south aspect are not significant in population frequency, they are significant in the types of chaparral plants that inhabit each area.
Recommended Citation
Lozano, Alexandra N.; Rasmussen, Drew N.; and Rawls, Ashlyn L., "Difference in Chaparral Species Population on the North and South Aspect on Pepperdine University Campus" (2015). Pepperdine University, Featured Research. Paper 207.
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/sturesearch/207