Temperate deciduous rain forest as stated by Its name (deciduous) Is a forest predominantly populated by Leafy trees that shed their leaves every winter some examples are oak and maple. Most of the plants in the forest are perennial plants. Perenial plants are plants that return year after year without help from an outside factor ( human interference )The forest is predominantly populated by three levels of plant life.
The plants in this Biome are heavily affected by the drastic weather changes that occur with the changing of the seasons. The mild spring is when the leaves of the forest canopy have not yet grown in, so lilies and other low growing wild flowers take advantage of the sun that is only available during this season. The hot summers are a stark contrast to the shade that the big leafy canopy provided by the third level of plants provide. The first and second level of plants takes advantage of the shade to bloom and create berries to animals to feed off of.
plants
Invasive species
The Japanese Barberry is an invasive shrub that is native to Japan. Due to its bright berries and beautiful growth pattern it has been widely planted as a decorative plant. The Japanese Barberry's physiological adaptation of mass seed production is advantageous because it helps it spread its seeds easily, but that is an issue to how dense and overpopulated the plant is now.
The issue with Japanese barberry is that is forms dense thickets that reduce wildlife habitat. Barberry affect native plant growth and take nutrients from plants that need them more.
The issue with Japanese barberry is that is forms dense thickets that reduce wildlife habitat. Barberry affect native plant growth and take nutrients from plants that need them more.
AdaptationsMost plants in the forest have adaptations that we have a bad habit of overlooking. something as simple as trees loosing leaves in the fall is an adaptation. The deciduous trees loose their leaves in the winter time. This may seem mundane but it is really a brilliant way to conserve energy. In the spring the tree grows small young leaves that convert light into sustenance for the tree to live on. The leaves then fall off the tree in autumn, and during winter the tree no longer needs to expend an excess amount of energy. These leaves then decompose and the nutrients go back into the soil and the cycle begins again.
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pyramid of energyThe plant like organisms of the TDF make up the primary producers of the biome. These plants provide food for the herbivores ( Primary consumers) to eat. The herbivores are consumed by the carnivores( Secondary consumers), who then provide food for the top carnivores( Tetritary consumers). The top carnivores provide carcasses for the decomposes to eat. The decomposers replenish the nutrients that are necessary for the plants to grow strong and dense.
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symbiosis
The most notable symbiotic relationship in the TDF is the one between the canopy produced by the third level of plants, and the forest floor. Symbiotic means a relationship that is beneficial for both parties involved. The trees provide shade and shelter for the forest floor, and when to leaves fall they produce nutrients for the plants. The plants attract
species at risk
American chestnuts.
American chestnut was originally considered one of the most forest trees but then wiped out by the chestnut blight.
American chestnut was originally considered one of the most forest trees but then wiped out by the chestnut blight.