Temperate Deciduous Forest Found in Europe, the eastern part of the U.S.A., and China Temperate Deciduous Forest • Found below 50ºN latitude • 75 to 150 cm precipitation yearly Temperate Deciduous Forest • Wide range of temperatures with 4 seasons • Below freezing in winter to 30ºC in summer Temperate Deciduous Forest • Soil is rich in nutrients from layers of decomposing leaves Temperate Deciduous Forest • Layers of vegetation – Canopy – Understory – Forest floor Layers of Vegetation Canopy- tree tops that shade the ground below Understory- shrub layer Forest floor- dark and moist layer of dead leaves, twigs, and seeds Layers of Vegetation Canopy Layers of Vegetation Understory Layers of Vegetation Forest floor Life in the Temperate Deciduous Forest The mild climate and rich soil of the temperate deciduous forest supports a wide variety of plant and animal life. Plants of the Temperate Deciduous Forest Plant life is abundant. Examples: •Oak trees •Shrubs •Hickory trees •Wildflowers •Maple trees •Ferns Plants of the Temperate Deciduous Forest •Oak tree Plants of the Temperate Deciduous Forest •Hickory tree Plants of the Temperate Deciduous Forest •Maple tree Plants of the Temperate Deciduous Forest •Shrubs (Azalea) Plants of the Temperate Deciduous Forest •Shrubs (Holly) Plants of the Temperate Deciduous Forest •Wildflowers Plants of the Temperate Deciduous Forest •Wildflowers Plants of the Temperate Deciduous Forest •Ferns Plants of the Temperate Deciduous Forest ADAPTATIONS • Wildflowers grow on forest floor early in the spring before trees leaf-out and shade the forest floor • Many trees are deciduous (they drop/shed their leaves in the autumn, and grow new ones in spring). • Most deciduous trees have thin, broad, light-weight leaves that can capture a lot of sunlight to make a lot of food for the tree in warm weather. • Trees have thick bark to protect against cold winters. http://www.mbgnet.net/bioplants/ Animals of the Temperate Deciduous Forest Animal life is diverse. Examples: •Deer •Birds •Foxes •Raccoons •Snakes •Amphibians •Bears •Small mammals Animals of the Temperate Deciduous Forest •Deer Animals of the Temperate Deciduous Forest •Fox Animals of the Temperate Deciduous Forest •Snakes (Eastern Garter Snake) Animals of the Temperate Deciduous Forest •Snakes (Copperhead) Animals of the Temperate Deciduous Forest •Black bear Animals of the Temperate Deciduous Forest •Birds (Bald Eagle) Animals of the Temperate Deciduous Forest •Birds (Barn Owl) Animals of the Temperate Deciduous Forest •Birds Woodpecker Cardinal Animals of the Temperate Deciduous Forest •Raccoon Animals of the Temperate Deciduous Forest •Amphibians Wood frog Leopard Frog Animals of the Temperate Deciduous Forest •Amphibians Spotted Salamander Jefferson Salamander Animals of the Temperate Deciduous Forest •Small Mammals Field Mouse Squirrel Animals of the Temperate Deciduous Forest ADAPTATIONS • Animals in temperate deciduous forests also have to adapt to the changing seasons. • Migration and hibernation are two adaptations used by the animals in this biome. • Some animals often store large supplies of food (such as nuts and seeds) in the ground, under fallen leaves, or in tree hollows for use during the cold winters when food is scarce http://www.vtaide.com/png/temperateBiomes.htm.