AIM: SWBAT describe the details of the temperate forest biome

AIM: SWBAT describe the details of the temperate forest biome Please Do Now: Why are migrations so common in the open ocean? Why are population densities so low in desert biomes?

Agenda • Do Now • Reminders • Temperate Forest Notes • Forest Biomes

Temperate Forests • Temperate forests are located throughout the middle latitudes of the northern hemisphere (the U.S., Europe, Japan, Northern China), and small bit in South America)

Climate (Temperature and Precipitation) • Precipitation: Is moderate to heavy, coming as both snow and rain, relatively evenly distributed throughout the year • Temperature: Warm summers give way to cold to mild winters

Soil • The soil in the temperate forests tend to be rich, and high in organic material (particularly because of the annual drop of leaves) • Nutrient cycling rates are high

Plant Life • Trees dominate. Usually a mixture of needle-leaf evergreens and broadleaf deciduous trees • A rich understory exists in many locations • The particular species that exist in a given location depends on a mixture of the specific soil and climate factors

Plant Adaptations • The deciduous trees do not photosynthesize in the late Fall or Winter, and instead drop their leaves. This cost them the resources they had invested in the leaves, but protects them from the damage and losses keeping the leaves for the winter would result in • Understory plants often have to be shade tolerant. Many deal with the lack of sunlight by doing much of their growth and reproduction in the early spring, before the leaves of trees have emerged. These are called spring ephermerals

Seasonal Variation • Seasonal Variation is high, not in terms of rainfall, but in temperature. • Summers are usually warm and usually wet, but winters usually get below freezing (plants are adapted to tolerate the freeze)

Limiting Factors and Adaptations • Attempt on your own during the video, we will discuss tomorrow

Biodiversity and Productivity • Biodiversity is relatively high, some groups are kept in check by the cold winters (reptiles, amphibians, insects) • Productivity is moderate (7), plenty of water and sunlight in the summer, but no photosynthesis in the fall/winter

Vocabulary • Canopy: The top layer of the forest, consisting of tall trees • Understory: Everything below the canopy, receives less sunlight • Spring Ephemerals: Plants that sprout, grow, flower, and reproduce quickly in the spring so they can use the light before the deciduous trees block it out

AIM: SWBAT describe the details of the temperate forest biome • Please Do Now: What is a spring ephemeral and why are they well adapted to life in temperate forests?

Agenda • Do Now • Notes • Video • Notes

Other Physical Factors • Vernal pools are temporary areas of standing water that occur for a period of a few months, usually associated with Spring snow melts. They are very important for much of the amphibian and insect life in temperate forests

Succession • Succession is a big deal in temperate forest ecosystems. • Climax community is large, shade loving trees like hemlock, oaks, and beeches • Classical progression of succession in temperate forests: • Forest cut down and flooded by beaver activity • Beaver moves on, pond drains, forming grassy meadow • Shrubs return, followed by fast growing, sun loving trees • Eventually we get back to large shade loving trees, to which the beaver may return for a meal

Keystone species • Beaver: creates habitats for dozens of other animals that live in the biomes, but do not thrive in the deep forest • Woodpeckers: the holes they drill into dead wood provide food and habitats for many other organisms

Migrations • Migrations of the bird species is very common to escape the food scarcity in the winter • Less mobile species such as mammals tend to just be less active in the winter

Mating systems • Many of the bird and mammal species of the biome tend to mate for life (monogamy) • Helps male ensure they are father • Lek mating also common

Trophic pyramid • Mountain lion, bear (omnivore) • Bobcat, fox, coyote, hawks, owls • Rodents (squirrels, mice, moles • Insects, worms • Deciduous trees, herbs

Symbioses • Mycorrhizal fungi are very important to help plants acquire nutrients • Ectoparasites like mosquitoes and ticks are somewhat successful.

Famous Examples • The forests of New England and Upstate New York • Appalachia

Threats to conservation • The Eastern U.S., Europe, and East Asia are some of the most populated places on earth, so many of the forests have been cut down to make room • Invasive species also a huge problem

AIM: SWBAT describe the details of the temperate forest biome • Please Do Now: What role do beavers play in succession in temperate forests

Agenda • Do Now • Woodpecker/Beaver Videos • Finish Temperate Forests

Unique sub-habitats • Temperate coniferous forests • Temperate mixed forests • Temperate deciduous forests

Example Organisms Organisms Adaptations Eat almost anything in summer, then are inactive during the winter Hide nuts and acorns for use during winter Lay eggs in the spring when vernal pools are available Drill into rotting trees to eat bugs Whole mini-ecosystems of bugs thrive on a single fallen trees • Black Bear • Gray Squirrels • Amphibians, like salamanders • Woodpeckers • Invertebrates

Limiting Factors • Limiting factors in the temperate forest tend to be seasonal: in the winter, it is food • Many animals have adapted to be less active in the winter to save energy, or to store food • In the summer, no one factor is most important, specific to the population • Often limiting factors are density dependent and biotic, such as predation or intraspecific competition

Materials List • For the rest of class, I need everyone to attempt to develop a materials list for their experiment, so if there are things I can help you get, I can begin getting them • I know we have made our specific methods yet (Thursday we will begin), but I am here to help • Please make one per group, and put both names on it. In the bucket when finished.

AIM: SWBAT describe the details of the temperate forest biome