Tundra Taiga Temperate Grasslands Desert

Temperate/Deciduous Forest Tropical Grasslands (Savanna)

Semi-arid Desert Alpine Chaparrel Grasslands Rainforest

Write in your notes: I can describe the characteristics of Earth’s terrestrial TDF and Taiga biomes.

Temperate Deciduous Forest

Nearly all of the world’s temperate forests are found in the northern hemisphere.

Temperate forests are often called deciduous forests because in a temperate forest, many of the trees lose their leaves in the winter. These trees drop their leaves and go into a period of extended dormancy during the colder seasons. In more northern latitudes or in mountainous regions, the leaves of many of these trees turn beautiful shades of colors before dropping.

Many different kinds of trees, shrubs, and herbs grow in deciduous forests. Most of the trees are deciduous broadleaf trees such as oak, maple, beech, hickory and chestnut. Various species of evergreens (pines, cedars, spruces) can also be found in temperate forests.

The soil of the temperate deciduous forest floor is thick and nutrient rich.

In a temperate deciduous forest biome, there are four distinct seasons. The seasons are more obvious in northern latitude temperate forest regions than in lower latitude temperate forests. The temperature varies widely from season to season. The difference in temperatures between the summer and winter seasons increases in the higher latitudes. Winters in the northern latitudes (ex: Maine) often drop below zero, however the summer temperatures seldom go above 85 degrees F. In lower latitude temperate forests like those found in Georgia, typical winter temperatures occasionally drop to 20 degrees Fahrenheit while typical summer temps often reach the 90’s.

Temperature extremes for the temperate forest biome, however, range from -30 degrees Celsius to +30 degrees Celsius. What is this in degrees Fahrenheit?

Temperate forest biomes generally receive between 30 to 60 inches of precipitation per year in the form of either rain or snow. Precipitation is distributed throughout the year.

Animals in temperate deciduous forests have to adapt to changing seasons. They must be able to cope with cold winters and hot summers. Some animals hibernate in winter dens or underground burrows. Others migrate during the winter to escape the cold. Animals who do not hibernate or migrate must have special adaptations to deal with the cold winters.

Fauna is represented by squirrels, rabbits, skunks, raccoons, birds, deer, bobcat, fox, and black bear.

Yeah, I live in this biome too. You got a problem with that?

Bobcat

Go Wildcats!!!

I am a true opportunist. I will eat plant material, and YOUR GARBAGE if you don’t put the lid on tight!

Pepe Le Pew

European Fallow Deer

European Roe Deer

European Red Deer

Species of deer are found in all temperate forests.

American Whitetail Deer

Moose are found only in the northernmost temperate forests that are actually transition zones between the temperate deciduous forest and the boreal forest biome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6otyqsli3dkAlbino doe

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/white-tailed-deer/ call

Sika Deer of East AsiaTufted Deer

Asian Deer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcr7nrU5-IM

The temperate deciduous forests supports a number of species of amphibians and some reptiles, more in the southern temperate latitudes than the northern. American bullfrog pickerel frog leopard frog

Green tree frog American Toad Wood frog

The northeast Asian deciduous forest biome covers parts of Korea, China, Russia, and Japan. These temperate deciduous forests are home to some very unique animals including:

The Japanese Macaque or Snow Monkey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVmNOT1W-Ss

The Siberian Tiger

The Red Panda http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTvww2y-7nY

…a little bit……..

Which number indicates areas of TDF biome?

#5

The soil of temperate deciduous forests is very thick and rich in nutrients. What is the best explanation for the high quality of the soil?

Each year the forest floor is covered with a blanket of leaves that eventually are decomposed and become humus, a thick, nutrient rich soil.

What are the primary characteristics of the trees that dominate the TDF?

•Most grow from 30-70 feet in height.•They are primarily hardwood species like oak, maple, beech, birch, and chestnut. •They shed their leaves in the winter and go dormant.

Which letter indicates areas of temperate forest biome?

A

B

C

F

ED

List as many animals as you can in 45 seconds that are found in the TDF.

Bobcat, black bear, raccoon, beaver, gray squirrel, porcupine, various frogs & salamanders, whitetail deer (and other species of deer in Europe and Asia), coyote (non-native), other.

In our area of Georgia, we have many species of deciduous trees, but we also have species of trees such as the palmetto that are found mostly in the sub-tropical zone. We are also able to use a number of tropical plants in our landscaping. What is the best explanation for why sub-tropical plants and temperate forest plants are able to grow in this area?

This part of Georgia and most of Florida is actually a transition zone where the temperate deciduous forest is gradually transitioning to the sub-tropical forest.

What is the primary explanation for the greater diversity of plants and animals that are found in the temperate forest biome and the Taiga biome?

The temperate forests have a longer growing season, a milder climate, and receive more precipitation.

Augusta, Maine and Atlanta, Georgia are both located in the temperate deciduous biome. While the types of animals and plants are very similar in both locations, there are some major differences in the climate between the two locations. Portland gets snow, while Atlanta rarely does. Atlanta has a growing season of about 9-10 months while Portland’s growing season is about 5 months. What is the best explanation for the differences in the climates of the two regions?

The angle of the sun is less in Maine than in North Georgia. Therefore, Maine receives less solar energy during most of the year. This decreases the growing season.

The American Black Bear is found in Temperate Deciduous Forest areas from North Florida to Northern Maine. The bears in the northern parts of this region must hibernate during the winter. The bears in the southern areas of this region do not hibernate. The same is true for other TDF animals like skunks, gray squirrels, and sometimes raccoons. Why is it necessary for these animals to hibernate in one part of the TDF and not another?

It all has to do with the length of the growing season. Northern TDF has shorter summers and longer winters. There is less food available in the winter and the temperatures are much harsher.

Siberian Tigers and Bengal Tigers both inhabit areas of temperate deciduous forest. In the past 100 years, the populations of both tigers has decreased dramatically. What are the most likely causes of this decrease?

#1 reason is habitat loss due to human encroachment#2 poaching

Biome Average Annual Precipitation

Tundra 10 in /25 cm

Desert 10 in /25 cm

Taiga (Boreal Forest) 11-30 in. (25-75 cm)

Temperate Grassland 20-40 in. (50-100cm)

Temperate Deciduous Forest

30-60 in. (75-150 cm)

Tropical Rainforest 100+ in. (250+ cm)

The general rule is that the more precipitation an area gets, the more likely it is to support areas of forest. In which instance does is this rule not followed?

The Taiga receives less precipitation than grasslands, but supports forests.

To get an approximate conversion from in. to cm., do the “double + half.” Double the amount of inches, then add ½ of the original inches. For example:20 in… Double it=40 in. + ½ (20) = 50 cm

Which class(es) of animals are you likely to see in relative abundance in the temperate forest but are found rarely if at all in the Taiga?

amphibians and reptiles

For what primary reason do a number of animals leave temperate deciduous forests in the winter?

The food supply diminishes and becomes a much greater limiting factor.

Most species of temperate deciduous forest animals are born in the spring. What is the best explanation for why they are not born during the late summer, fall or winter?

The decrease in the food supply and the drop in temperature would make it nearly impossible for them to survive through the winter. Birds must have time to become fully grown so that they can migrate (if they do.) Mammals must also be more fully developed either in terms of building fat to get them through the lean months or in ways that would help them to escape predators which have an advantage in the winter. Reptiles and, in particular, amphibians, must also be adult size by the time they enter burrows or bury themselves in the mud to overwinter/hibernate.