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Forest Biomes Chapter 9
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Types of Forests
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9.1 Coniferous Forests Objectives Describe the characteristics of the coniferous forest. Explain adaptations that enable organisms to survive in coniferous forests Many of Earth’s forests have been harvested to meet the demand for wood, resulting in widespread ecosystem destruction.
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Coniferous Forest (Taiga) Facts
Coniferous means cone bearing Northern potion of the northern hemisphere Warm summers long cold, snowy winters (temperature range of -50 to +25) Needles for leaves - evergreen
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Coniferous Forests Facts
Not diverse Trees grow in dense stands – blocks sunlight Soil poor and acidic Forest floor has limited plant life Fern, lichens, sphagnum moss, fungi
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Coniferous Forests Facts
Heavy snow in northern forests (Taiga) insulates ground Keeps ground from freezing Protects roots Helps animals Small herbivores eat seeds Large herbivores eat plants and bark Many species migrate or hibernate Growing needs for wood has led to tree harvesting
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Temperate Coniferous Forests
Exist where soils are too shallow or nutrient-poor to sustain hardwood trees. Often less dense than Taiga forests—grasses can grow. Winters are less harsh, so diversity may be greater Fire is important to the ecosystem, as in a grassland.
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Quick Quiz 9.1QQ T or F Coniferous means evergreen.
Exist in Northern portion of the southern hemisphere Taiga has cool summers & short dry winters Conifers have needles for leaves Taiga is very diverse Trees grow in dense stands – blocks sunlight Soil poor and acidic Forest floor has limited plant life: Fern, lichens, sphagnum moss Heavy snow insulates ground: protects roots & helps animals Small herbivores eat seeds & large herbivores eat plants and bark Large animal species die off in winter Growing needs for wood has led to tree harvesting Temperate deciduous forests exist where it is too wet for hardwoods to grow. Temperate deciduous forests are more diverse than Taiga.
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A tree that sheds its leaves during a particular season of the year.
9.2 Deciduous forests Objectives Identify the characteristics of the deciduous forest Describe the organisms that inhabit the deciduous forest A tree that sheds its leaves during a particular season of the year.
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What is a Deciduous Forest
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Deciduous Facts Grow in the temperate zones
Temperatures from –30oC to +30oC 50cm to 300 cm of rainfall During growing season Photosynthesis occurs Grows rapidly Stores large amounts of food
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Deciduous Facts Continued
During winter Photosynthesis stops Leaves lose green color Sheds leaves Helps to conserve water Minimizes snow damage Becomes dormant Consumes food stored in trunk, branches and roots
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Deciduous Forest Video
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Types of Deciduous Trees
Maple Oak Beech Ash Hickory Birch More diverse than coniferous forest
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Deciduous Forest Levels
Canopy Upper branches of tall trees Captures most of sunlight Understory Younger and smaller trees Shrubs Forest Floor Mosses, ferns and other plants; also fungi
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Deciduous Leaves Decay quickly
Produce a deep rich layer of soil – humus Humus and leaves are home to many insects and other invertebrates
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Deciduous Animals
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Man’s Impact on the Deciduous Forests
Very little original deciduous forest remains Less than 0.1% Cut down for Farm land Lumber Paper Fuel
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Replanting the Forest Replanted forests usually low in diversity
The forest ecosystem regenerates slowly Communities come back slowly, if at all
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Past, Present & Future
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Quick Quiz QQ T or F A deciduous tree sheds its leaves during a particular season of the year Temperatures from –30oC to +30oC 50 cm to 300 cm of rainfall During growing season: photosynthesis, grows rapidly, store large amounts of food During winter: photosynthesis stops; leaves lose green color; becomes dormant; consumes food stored in trunk, branches and roots Shedding leaves: helps to conserve water & minimizes snow damage More diverse than coniferous forest Types: maple, oak, beech, hickory Decaying leaves produce humus Replanted forests usually low in diversity The forest ecosystem regenerates slowly Only 30% of original forest remain
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The rain forest is the most productive and diverse biome on Earth.
Objectives Describe the characteristics of the tropical zone and the rain forest Illustrate the complexity and diversity of the rain-forest ecosystem The rain forest is the most productive and diverse biome on Earth.
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Rain Forest Facts Located in the tropical zones near the equator
Average 25oC all year 100 cm to 450 cm rainfall per year Growing season lasts all year A rain forest is a biome with a dense canopy of evergreen, broadleaf trees supported by at least 200 cm of rain each year.
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More Facts Contain 70% to 90% of all Earth’s species
Only 6% of earth’s surface but 40% of biomass Trees are the basis of the forest Cyprus – Balsa – Teak – Mahogany – many more! Many reach heights of m (195 feet)
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Rainforest Video
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Rainforest Structure Upper canopy Lower canopy Understory Forest floor
Captures 99% of sunlight Lower canopy Understory Forest floor Sparse population Shallow roots Tree trunks have buttresses to support tree
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Rain Forest Soil Thin and poor Most nutrients in top 5 cm
Organic matter decomposes quickly and is lifted back up into trees
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Organisms High plant diversity leads to high animal diversity
Wide variety of habitats at different levels Complex food web Millions of species of plants, animals, bacteria and fungi
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Organisms of the Canopy
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Deforestation
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Deforestation Rain forests have been reduced from 10% of Earth’s surface to 6% The destruction of forest as a result of human activity is called deforestation Because of humans need for space and wood The rain forest cannot regenerate! The many organisms will be gone for ever.
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Quick Quiz QQ The rain forest is the most productive and diverse biome on Earth Rain forests have been reduced from 10% of Earth’s surface to 6% The destruction of forest as a result of human activity is called deforestation The rain forest cannot regenerate! High plant diversity leads to high animal diversity Wide variety of habitats at different levels Complex food web Millions of species of plants, animals, bacteria and fungi Soil is thin and poor with most nutrients in top 5 cm Organic matter decomposes quickly and is lifted back up into trees Contain 70% to 90% of all Earth’s species, only 6% of earth’s surface but 40% of biomass Many trees reach heights of m (195 feet): Cyprus – Balsa – Teak – Mahogany
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