FOREST BIOMESFOREST BIOMES

77THTH GRADE SCIENCE GRADE SCIENCE

Mrs. WeberMrs. Weber

There are three different There are three different forest biomes, today we forest biomes, today we

will discuss all threewill discuss all three

Coniferous ForestsConiferous Forests Deciduous ForestsDeciduous Forests Tropical Rain ForestsTropical Rain Forests

Do you know what they are?

Look at the map on page 724. Where do coniferous forests grow? Closerto the poles or to the equator?

Are there any tropical rain forests in North America? If so where?

What types of forests are found in Africa?

CONIFEROUS FORESTSCONIFEROUS FORESTS

The northernmost forest biome. The northernmost forest biome. Made up of trees called conifers.Made up of trees called conifers. Conifers produce their seeds in cones. Conifers produce their seeds in cones.

Also called the ‘great north woods’Also called the ‘great north woods’ Have fewer types of trees than other Have fewer types of trees than other

forests – why?forests – why? Because the conifers can withstand the Because the conifers can withstand the

cold climates of the northcold climates of the north Needles have a thick waxy covering – Needles have a thick waxy covering –

why?why? Because it protects the needles from Because it protects the needles from

freezing.freezing. Soil is not very fertileSoil is not very fertile

Reasons many types of Reasons many types of trees don’t grow in the trees don’t grow in the coniferous forestsconiferous forests

Many types of trees cannot withstand the Many types of trees cannot withstand the cold climatecold climate

Soil is not fertile because dead animals, Soil is not fertile because dead animals, trees and fallen needles don’t decay trees and fallen needles don’t decay quickly because of the coldquickly because of the cold

The forest floor is very shadyThe forest floor is very shady

Animals in the Coniferous Animals in the Coniferous ForestForest

Moose, beaver, lynx, red squirrels, Moose, beaver, lynx, red squirrels, martins, wolvesmartins, wolves

Birds include warblers, gray jays, cross Birds include warblers, gray jays, cross billsbills

Climate in the Coniferous Climate in the Coniferous ForestForest

Annual temperatures range from -60Annual temperatures range from -60o o C C to 20to 20ooC (-86C (-86oo to 68 to 68ooF)F)

Short growing season Short growing season 40 – 100 cm of precipitation per year, 40 – 100 cm of precipitation per year,

mainly in the form of snow.mainly in the form of snow.

Trees in the Coniferous Trees in the Coniferous ForestForest

Seeds grow in conesSeeds grow in cones Needles have waxy coveringNeedles have waxy covering Adapted to a short growing seasonAdapted to a short growing season Capable of producing carbohydrates by Capable of producing carbohydrates by

photosynthesis earlier than other trees photosynthesis earlier than other trees because they keep their needles because they keep their needles

Some have flexible branches to allow snow to Some have flexible branches to allow snow to fall off before it breaks the branchfall off before it breaks the branch

DECIDUOUS FORESTSDECIDUOUS FORESTSCLIMATECLIMATE

75 – 200 cm of precipitation a year, fairly 75 – 200 cm of precipitation a year, fairly evenly spaced throughout the year (29 – 78 evenly spaced throughout the year (29 – 78 inches)inches)

Summers are warmSummers are warm Winters are coldWinters are cold Temperatures range from -30Temperatures range from -30o o to 30to 30ooC (-22 to C (-22 to

8686o o F) per yearF) per year Rich, fertile soil due to decayRich, fertile soil due to decay

Deciduous ForestDeciduous ForestPlantsPlants

Oaks, Maples, Aspens, Hemlocks, etcOaks, Maples, Aspens, Hemlocks, etc Trees lose their leaves in the fallTrees lose their leaves in the fall Leaves grow back in the springLeaves grow back in the spring Wildflowers and ferns abundant in early springWildflowers and ferns abundant in early spring The forest floor has lots of undergrowthThe forest floor has lots of undergrowth

Deciduous ForestsDeciduous ForestsAnimalsAnimals

Lots of insectsLots of insects Worms, salamandersWorms, salamanders Squirrels, mice, deer, foxes, raccoonsSquirrels, mice, deer, foxes, raccoons Some migratory birds Some migratory birds

Tropical RainforestClimate

•More than 200 cm (78 inches) of rain per year•Summer all year long – plants grow all yearvery muggy and humid•Temperatures average 20-25o C (68-77o F) per year•There is little variation in temperature•Soil is nutrient poor and acidic

Tropical Rain ForestPlants

•Most plant life is in the trees (vines)•More varied plant life than any other land biome•There are approximately 40,000 different types of plant life in the rain forest•Shallow roots

Tropical Rain ForestAnimals

• Many animals live in the trees•Snakes – boa constrictors•Ocelots, jaguar •Centipedes, spiders, ants, beetles live on the rain forest floor•Monkey•Eagles

What forest biome Do you think this

Is?

What biome Is this?

(It isn’t a forest biome!)

What forestbiome is this?