What We Can Do to Improve California Chaparral

In order to rewind the negative changes that have taken place in the California chaparral during the past hundred years, it is impertinent that the necessary steps be taken. Only through this method will current and future generations have the opportunity to witness the beauty of chaparrals. One potential solution is to alter the classifications and management of public land trusts in ways that line up with the needs of a population that is growing rapidly and increasing in diversity. The California Chaparral Preservation Plan offers this exact solution. This plan suggests the idea of designating areas of chaparral into National parks, because doing so would call attention to California Chaparral as the priceless natural resource it is. In comparison to other native ecosystems that have been acknowledged in special preserves, the chaparral has been largely ignored. Another aspect of this plan is to connect the four National Forests in Southern California, which would allow for genetic flow between animal populations. This, in turn, would prevent extinction, as well as work towards maintaining the health of the chaparral ecosystem. Another method to improving the status of California Chaparral is to produce fire management plans. This method would allow for the preservation of old-growth chaparral and prevent further invasion of non-native plant communities.