A chaparral contains vegetation composed of broad-leaved evergreen shrubs, bushes, and small trees. Chaparrals are found in regions with a climate similar to that of the Mediterranean area, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
Sages and evergreen oaks are the dominant plants in North American chaparral areas that have an average yearly rainfall of about 500 to 750 mm.
Fires in late summer are necessary for the germination of many shrub seeds and serve to clear away dense ground cover, thus maintaining the shrubby growth form of the vegetation by preventing the spread of trees.
Deer and birds usually inhabit chaparral only during the wet season and move northward or to a higher altitude as food becomes scarce during the dry season.