By Reagan, Nick, Molly, and
Blaise.
GEOGRAPHER
By Nick
Temperate deciduous forests are located in the middle areas, which means
that they are found between the Polar Regions and the tropics. The
deciduous forest regions are exposed to warm and cold air masses, which
cause this area to have four seasons. The temperature varies widely from
season to season with cold winters and hot, wet summers. The average
yearly temperature is about 10°C. The areas in which deciduous forests are
located get about 750 to 1,500 mm of precipitation spread fairly evenly
throughout the year.
During the fall, trees change color and then lose their leaves. This is
in preparation for the winter season. Because it gets so cold, the trees have
adapted to the winter by going into a period of dormancy or sleep. They also
have thick bark to protect them from the cold weather. Trees flower and grow
during the spring and summer growing season.
Many different kinds of trees, shrubs, and herbs grow in deciduous
forests. Most of the trees are broadleaf trees such as oak, maple, beech,
hickory and chestnut. There are also several different kinds of plants like
mountain laurel, azaleas and mosses that live on the shady forest floor where
only small amounts of sunlight get through.
The biggest feature of this biome happens in the fall, when
the leaves change colors. This attracts many visitors to the
Temperate Deciduous Forest to gaze upon the beautiful
array of colors. The leaves change there before they fall
off. They fall off in autumn, which is why these trees are
deciduous. Deciduous trees will shed their leaves at the
end of each growing season in order for the tree to be able
to live through the harsh winter. The trees will grow their
leaves back every spring. Trees do this because they go
through a dormant state throughout the winter and have no
need for leaves. The landscape is also a great place for
camping, hiking, or any to do with the outdoors. Those are
some of the very few features that draw people to this
biome.
Temperate forests are very important to people as they
provide enjoyment as well as many resources including food,
timber, and oxygen for us to breathe. However, we are also the
cause of some major threats to this biome, one of which is acid
rain. Acid rain caused by industrial and vehicle emissions
damages the leaves of trees, and causes them to produce
smaller and fewer seeds. It also reduces the trees' resistance to
disease, pests, and frost. Clear cutting of forests is also a threat
to this biome. Trees are cut for timber and land cleared for
agriculture. Another problem associated with deciduous
forests is the introduction of non-native plant and animal
species because it upsets the balance of the forest ecosystem.
Non-natives may compete for food and habitat space, possibly
threatening the native species.
BOTANIST
By Blaise
There are many different abiotic factors in
Temperate Deciduous Forest. Here are
some:
-soil
-sunlight
-water
-oxygen
-carbon dioxide
Here are ten different plant species:
Special Adaptation: their roots pick up
much more water, that is why it's big, it also
has bark to protect it from winter.
Special Adaptaton: none.
Special Adaptation: beech trees have many
leaves to catch sunlight.
Special Adaptation: maple trees lose their
leaves in the winter, which cuts down on
water loss and prevents the leaves from
icing up and killing the tree, it also has
bark to protect it from winter.
Special Adaptation: oaks protect
themselves by letting their leaves die so
that insects won’t destroy them, it also has
bark to protect it from winter.
Special Adaptation: none that effect
survival.
Special Adaptation: Evergreens have bark
to protect it from winter.
Special Adaptation: Birch need a quality
soil condition, it also has bark to protect it
from winter.
Special Adaptation: Holly have spikes to
protect them from predators, similar to
cacti.
Special Adaptation: none
METEOROLOGIST
By Molly
In a temperate forest there are about two to five
feet of snow and rain each year. The average
temperature of a temperate deciduous forest is
about 50 degrees F. The summer temperature
is about 82.4. The winter temperature is about
42.8. In the summer there is 60 to 80%
humidity. Summer is hot and humid. There is
very little sunlight in the temperate forest.
They have dense canopies, so very little
sunlight can get through.
ZOOLOGIST
By Reagan
White tailed deer: The white tailed deer
uses camouflage to hide from predators.
 Box turtle: When the turtle is scared, it
pulls inside its shell to blend in to its
surroundings and protect itself.
 Eastern cotton tail rabbit: The Eastern
cotton tail rabbit has good eyesight and
sense of hearing so they can stay alert
from predators.
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Hawks: Hawks are really known for their incredible
acuity in sight, they are very good at seeing detail
and they use their sight to catch prey
 Coyotes: Coyotes have very sharp teeth so they
can catch their prey and feed their young ones
(called pups). Also they have a fur coat that keeps
them warm during high winds and cold weather.
Finally the color of their fur helps them blend into
their ecosystem.
 Black rat snake: Black rat snake is venomous and
that would help it catch its pray and avoid being
prey.
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Brown bears: They have thick insulating coats that are
large which enables them to control their body heat. They
have sharp claws and teeth that can kill prey and protect
their young ones. Also they hibernate during the winter.
Cougars: A cougar can leap very high off the ground.
They have great hearing, and eye sight which helps them
catch their prey. They are also very good swimmers and
good at climbing.
Squirrels: Squirrels use their busy tails for balance, and
has long claws to help it grip the surface it is climbing. It
has sharp teeth to crack nuts and sharp claws to protect
against enemies. It sleeps away the hottest part of
summer.
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WIND
The wind is a highly variable, nonliving element that has a great impact on things
that live in the deciduous forest. Strong winds make the branches and trees fall and
begin the decomposition process that returns nutrients that is in plants back to the
soil.
More mild, less noticeable winds are not any less important. Plants rely on winds to
spread pollen, fertilizing plants that are close. But winds also pick up particles from
open soil, spreading not only dirt, but any bacteria or fungal particles that may be
present in the soil. Long periods of strong winds can even be responsible for
spreading disease through a forest.
Water:
River water: Contains fresh water and food like fish and other living organisms like
algae. Animals need fresh water and food to live and without the food and water the
animals would die. Animals like bears fish in the river for fish, so the food in the
river is very important. Also the fish need water to live.
Rain water: The rain water moistens the soil and does not get too wet, making it one
of the most fertile soils. That means that plants will grow in the soil and the
herbivores will be able to eat the plants off the ground.
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Temperature
When the warm weather comes plants and animals come back alive, inspiring
animal reproduction with the making of new leaves and plants. The warmer
summer months allow these animals enough time to raise their young, often
preparing them to set off on their own prepared to protect themselves by the fall.
As the temperature starts to drop, the trees of the deciduous forest lose their leaves
and go into hibernation.
This temperature cue is critical for the animals as well, some of whom begin
storing food for the winter months while others gorge themselves in preparation for
hibernation.
SUNLIGHT
All plants need sunlight to survive, and it is this basic building block of life that has
formed much of the structure of the deciduous forest. Trees are encouraged to grow
tall; the taller the trees, the more sunlight are available to the leaves of the canopy.
Beneath these tall trees are a shorter layer of plants, often close to the ground.
These ferns and shrub like bushes tend to thrive in shady conditions, as they have
to survive on what sunlight makes it through the trees. In turn, many of the
herbivores in the forest are species that have adapted to live on these smaller
plants. The animals eat the plants that are on the ground floor and animals that are
herbivores need these plants to live.
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Plants: The plants need the carbine dioxide from the animals
to live. Without carbine dioxide the plants will die. Also the
plants need water. Without water the plants will have no
nutrients and will no grow. One more thing the plants need
is sunlight, without the sunlight the plants will die. Another
main element the plants need is soil. The plants would not
get to grow without the soil.
The animals need the trees and the ground as shelter from
the cold weather and predators. They need the plants to
create oxygen for them to breathe. Also some animals eat
certain plants and they need the plants to survive. Certain
insects like worms help break up the soil for the plants and
eat waste and poop out nutrients.
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Earth worm: The earthworm’s role is to help the soil by
getting rid of waste and adding nutrients into the soil.
This process starts when earthworms eat dead plants
and animals. When they eat the dead plants or animals,
they also eat soil and tiny pebbles. They take in
nutrients from very small organism in the material they
eat. Earthworms then get rid of wastes in the form of
casts. Casts are rich in nutrients, phosphorus, and
potash. In addition to breaking down organic materials
and adding nutrients to the soil, earthworms also help
loosen the soil so air can go through. This helps plants
grow.
bear:
Secondary
producer
Producer
Primary
consumer
Hawk:
Primary consumer
Producer
Secondary consumer
Bye! 