Temperate Deciduous Forest

Temperate Deciduous Forest Location and

ClimateThe mid-latitude deciduous forest biome is located between the polar regions and the tropics. Because of its location, air masses from both the cold polar region and the warm tropical region contribute to the changes of climate in this biome. Mid-latitude deciduous forests have both a warm and a cold season. The temperature ranges from -30°C in the cold winter to 30°C in the hot summer. The yearly average is 10°C. Precipitation ranges from 750 – 150cm a year.

This biome is characterized by an abundance of deciduous trees. Deciduous" means to fall off, or shed, seasonally. Just as the name implies, these deciduous trees shed their leaves each fall. As the leaves decompose, the nutrients contained in the leaves are absorbed by the soil. For this reason, the soils of this biome tend to be very fertile. The moderate climate produces a growing season of 140-200 days and 4-6 frost-free months.

Deciduous Forest Animals

A wide variety of mammals, birds, insects, and reptiles can be found in a deciduous forest biome. Mammals that are commonly found in a deciduous forest include:

Bears

Deer

Raccoons, Opossum, and Skunks

Rabbits and Squirrels

Rodents

Forest Animals

Raccoon

Chipmunk

Woodchuck

SkunkRabbit

Squirrel

Porcupine

Opossum

Forest Animals

Fox

Wolves

Deer

Bear

Deciduous Forest Birds

Red Headed Woodpecker

Mockingbird

Carolina Chickadee

Baltimore Oriole

Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Robin

Great Horned

Owl

Vireo

Warblers

Black and White

Yellow Warbler

Chestnut Sided Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

Reptiles and Amphibians of the Forest

Cold blooded inhabitants of the deciduous forest include:

Snakes

Frogs and Toads

Salamanders and Skinks

Turtle

Alligators

Forest Animal Adaptations

Migration and hibernation are two adaptations used by the animals in this biome. While a wide variety of birds migrate, many of the mammals hibernate during the cold winter months when food is in short supply. Cold blooded animals such as garter snakes, turtles, and a few amphibians also hibernate or burrow in the ground to pass the winter months.

Another behavioral adaptation some animals have adopted is food storage. The nuts and seeds that are plentiful during the summer are gathered by squirrels, chipmunks, and some jays, and are stored in the hollows of trees for use during the winter months. Cold temperatures help prevent the decomposition of the nuts and seeds.

Deciduous Forest PlantsTrees of the deciduous forest include broad leafed species such as:

Oak and Hickory Trees

Maple and Beech Trees

Elm Trees

Cottonwood and Basswood Trees

Hemlock Trees

Spring-flowering Herbs and Shrubs

Deciduous Trees

Ferns, Fungus, and other Flowering Plants

Layers of the ForestTall deciduous trees make up the canopy or top layer of the forest. Another layer called the understory includes shrubs and small saplings. Wildflowers, herbs, mosses and lichens make up another layer. A litter layer would include dead leaves branches, etc that have fallen to the forest floor.

Plant AdaptationsIn the spring, deciduous trees begin producing thin, broad, light-weight leaves. This type of leaf structure easily captures the sunlight needed for food production (photosynthesis). The broad leaves are great when temperatures are warm and there is plenty of sunlight. However, when temperatures are cold, the broad leaves expose too much surface area to water loss and tissue damage. Cooler temperatures and limited sunlight are two climatic conditions that tell the tree to begin adapting.

In the Fall, when these conditions occur, the tree cuts off the supply of water to the leaves and seals off the area between the leaf stem and the tree trunk. With limited sunlight and water, the leaf is unable to continue producing chlorophyll, the "green" stuff in the leaves, and as the chlorophyll decreases the leaves change color. Most deciduous trees shed their leaves, once the leaves are brown and dry.

Autumn…

…in the Maine Woods