TEMPERATE DECIDUOUS FOREST

What is a deciduous forest? A DECIDUOUS FOREST is used to describe a type of forest where trees shed their leaves during the cold months of the year and re-grow new leaves the next Spring. The major characteristic is that it has 4 DISTINCT SEASONS!

LOCATION Eastern third of the North America Western Europe China, Korea, Japan and Australia Southern tip of South America The only part of Oklahoma that has this type of forest is far Eastern Oklahoma

General Characteristics Average Temperature 10 degrees Celsius Annual rainfall ranges from around 30-60 inches per year Soil is nutrient rich Trees are spread further apart which allows some sunlight to reach the forest floor Latitude is around 23 N

One more Characteristic Has 5 layers Tree stratum, the tallest layer, 60 -100 feet high, with large oak, maple, beech, chestnut, hickory, elm, basswood, linden, walnut, or sweet gum trees. Small tree or sapling layer - short tree species and young trees. Shrub layer - shrubs like rhododendrons, azaleas, mountain laurels, and huckleberries. Herb layer - short plants. Ground layer - lichens, club mosses, and true mosses. Students are not responsible for knowing the names of the layers, just that it is composed of layers.

Discuss with your neighbor: We say that the soil in temperate forest are very nutrient rich. What would make the soil in a temperate deciduous forest nutrient rich? The leaves that fall off the trees every year decay and return the nutrients to the soil Reinforce that leaves do not disappear when they decay – there is a chemical change and the raw materials are returned to the environment – soil and atmosphere

Plant Adaptations seen in the Deciduous Forest Leaves are broad to collect as much sunlight as possible. Trees have thick bark to protect against harsh winters Trees drop their leaves in the winter to prevent water loss during the colder months. Also, there is less direct sunlight in the winter, which means less photosynthesis! So deciduous trees drop their leaves to conserve energy. Students will brainstorm considering what the pictures above have to do with the physical plant adaptations of the Deciduous forest biome. After they have finished brainstorming (1-2 minutes) allow them to share their answers by raising their hand and sharing with the group. Look at the above features of the deciduous forest. With the person seated next to you take a few minutes to consider how the characteristics pictured help the plant to survive. When the teacher calls time be ready to share your answers with the class-remember to raise your hand!

Spring bulbs use the free light before trees grow leaves and block the light from reaching the forest floor.

SUMMER Leaves from the trees block out light to forest floor (flowers die) main season for photosynthesis in trees.

AUTUMN Temperatures decrease, the tree cuts off the supply of water to the leaves and they fall off. Leaf litter increases during autumn and decomposes over the year. The leaves cannot produce chlorophyll (which makes the leaves green) without water and sunlight causing them to change into beautiful red, yellow and orange colors. The lack of chlorophyll is the reason for the color changes in the leaves!

WINTER It’s too cold for the trees to protect their leaves from freezing. Losing their leaves helps trees to prevent water loss through transpiration. Before the leaves die, the food and energy in the leaves are pulled back into the tree so it is not lost.

Animal Adaptations seen in the Deciduous Forest Behavioral Physical Migration Hibernation Food Storage Thick fur Camouflage Migration- Many animals from birds and geese to small mammals move to warmer climates in the winter months. Hibernation- several types of animals including bears will hibernate in the winter months to survive the harsh climate when food is scarce. Food Storage- In preparation for the winter, squirrels and other animals will store food to last them through the harsh winter months. Thick fur and layers of adipose tissue (fat)- also help animals to survive dropping temperatures. Camouflage

Summary of Characteristics Drastic seasonal changes Rich soils good for agriculture Animals have to adapt to the changing seasons Leaf litter increased during autumn and decomposes over the year.

Summary questions List and explain at least 2 adaptations that increase the survival of flora in the deciduous forest. List and describe 2 adaptations that increase the survival of the fauna in the deciduous forest.

Video How Nature Works: Seasonal Forest