Plant Communities At The SRP: Why is the Socal Flora Interesting
Clearly, areas near the Equator that receive lots of rain have the highest biodiversity by far, over twice as many unique species as we have.
Outside those areas, the highest biodiversity is found in Mediterranean climates like ours. We have about twice as many unique species as are found in similar areas in the rest of the U.S.A.
What's so special about Mediterranean climates?
The absence of summer rainfall, coupled with good winter rainfall and a climate kept temperate by the nearby ocean, with winds from the ocean.
Areas with such climates in general have hugely varied topography which creates a large number of ecoregions. ("From the desert to the sea...")
What happened here? Why do we have such a climate?
http://tchester.org/srp/plants/communities/31.html
Comments and feedback: Tom Chester
Last update: 6 November 2005.