Postponed: Chaparral Plant Adaptations and Patterns of Recovery from Wildfire: Examples from San Ysidro and Cold Springs Canyons after the Thomas Fire
Postponed to late spring or fall:
Free lecture with Matt Kay
Co-hosted by the Los Olivos Library
7:30 p.m.
Los Olivos Community Organization
2374 Alamo Pintado Avenue, Los Olivos
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 lecture will explore the botany and ecology of fire recovery in chaparral plant communities. An emphasis will be placed on species and photographs from San Ysidro and Cold Springs Canyon after the 2017 Thomas Fire. The talk will include the importance of chaparral conservation and ecosystem services.
Matt Kay 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. Matt teaches botany and general biology at SBCC.