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Essential Landscape: An Environmental History of Chaparral Ecosystems in California

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Valuing Chaparral

Part of the book series: Springer Series on Environmental Management ((SSEM))

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Abstract

Although chaparral is the most extensive, native plant habitat in California, it is not well understood in terms of the biodiversity it contains and the ecosystem services it provides. This was not always the case, and this chapter will explore what those inhabiting this region—native people, Spanish missionaries, US resource extractors, and conservationists—have known about this dynamic habitat, how their knowledge has changed over time, and why. Drawing on the insights of anthropology, archaeology, history and cultural studies, the chapter documents the evolving and reciprocal relationship between humans and the chaparral ecosystems that for millennia have sustained them in California.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pomona College, Claremont, CA, USA

    Char Miller

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  1. Char Miller
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Correspondence to Char Miller .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, California, USA

    Emma C. Underwood

  2. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, Vallejo, California, USA

    Hugh D. Safford

  3. USDA Forest Service, Los Padres National Forest, Goleta, California, USA

    Nicole A. Molinari

  4. U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Three Rivers, California, USA

    Jon E. Keeley

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Miller, C. (2018). Essential Landscape: An Environmental History of Chaparral Ecosystems in California. In: Underwood, E., Safford, H., Molinari, N., Keeley, J. (eds) Valuing Chaparral. Springer Series on Environmental Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68303-4_5

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