Chaparral Plant Adaptations and Patterns of Recovery from Wildfire: Examples from San Ysidro and Cold Springs Canyons After the Thomas Fire

Wildfire is a natural part of chaparral plant communities. Not surprisingly, chaparral plant species have interesting adaptations that allow them to regrow and/or reproduce post-fire. For many species, wildfire is an important event to which reproduction is timed. Some species grow almost exclusively in burn areas, but only for a few years after fire.

This talk will explore the botany and ecology of fire recovery in chaparral plant communities, and include the importance of chaparral conservation and ecosystem services. An emphasis will be placed on species and photographs from San Ysidro and Cold Springs Canyons after the 2017 Thomas Fire.

Matt grew up in Santa Barbara, where he developed a love for biology and natural history. This led to biology degrees from the University of Oregon (BS and MS) and a PhD from UCSB. He teaches botany and biology at SBCC.