Keeley Sterling C. - Introduction to California Chaparral

I give heartfelt thanks to my spouse, Barbara Ellis-Quinn, who in countless ways has acted as a patient and supportive midwife for the rather protracted birth of this book. She reviewed the manuscript in its entirety and created a quiet office and a warm home for writing. My friend Ken Montgomery, a botanist and horticulturist with a true love of plants native to California, provided hours of discussion and dreaming when I first thought to write this book a half lifetime ago. He has given me support, encouragement, and suggestions when they were most needed. The Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden of Claremont, California, has provided many days of pleasure and inspiration, as well as a place to take photographs for this book. Steve Shirley and his airplane gave me a new perspective and some photographs of wildfires at the urban-wildland interface. Rick Halsey's boundless enthusiasm was inspirational, as was his generosity with his ideas. Mike Raugh, mathematician and accomplished naturalist, reviewed a large part of the manuscript. Colleagues Chris Brady, Glenn Stewart, and Gary Wallace reviewed various parts of the manuscript. William D. Wagner provided insights on birds. Jim Dole, who first introduced me to the delights and challenges of chaparral ecology, set me on a path that has lasted a lifetime. Finally, I am grateful to students of chaparral biology at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, who over the years have been an endless source of enthusiasm to me for all things to do with chaparral.

Ronald D. Quinn

February 2006

This book would never have come into being were it not for the inspiration and support of many people. For starting my career in chaparral research and encouraging my efforts along the way, Harold Mooney of Stanford University, deserves my deepest gratitude. Nancy Coile, of the University of Georgia, provided the initial inspiration to write this book while visiting and collecting ceanothus. My sister, Christine Thompson, willingly took hikes with me while I photographed and pontificated, read countless drafts, and buoyed up my enthusiasm when it flagged. Frank Hovore spent many hours providing interesting information about insects and animals of the chaparral, and reading drafts, as well as providing some fabulous photos. Steve Davis, Robert Gustafson, Linda Hardie-Scott, Charles Hogue, Dave Minor, Philip Rundel, Timothy Thomas, Sherry Wood, and Paul Zedler provided wonderful photographs and have been waiting for them to be returned since the early 1990s. Their generosity and patience are much appreciated. Shirleen Gudmuson, Christa Hatch, Linda Kate Schroeder, and Peter Vroom all contributed to editing, reviewing, and refining the manuscript during its various incarnations. My students at Whittier College allowed me to share my delight in the chaparral and to do original research that would not have been possible without them. They taught me to see the natural world in new ways, for which I am truly grateful. Thanks to Phil Rundel and one anonymous reviewer for contributing to the quality of the book. And finally, our thanks to the editors, Phyllis Faber, who suggested we work together on this project, and Doris Kretschmer, who worked out the details and kept us on track.

Sterling C. Keeley

February 2006