Here in the chaparral it is too dry for these living decomposers to thrive. So far, we have learned that chaparral shrubs have adapted to the climate s heat and lack of water and the steep hillside s poor, rocky soil. There is more to learn about adaptation to fire in The Lessons of Fire . Your walk at Stunt Ranch will take you alongside Cold Creek. Since the creek is fed by water from a spring, there is always water here.
Sunlight filters through leaves on branches high overhead.
You can look out for ferns and mosses growing in the shady environment. The damp earth air smells so different from the dry dusty air higher up the hill. This riparian plant community has tall, shady trees. You will see sycamore trees and shrubs with soft green foliage. Sycamore trees are large deciduous trees which drop their leaves in the fall.