Group Members:Athena LyttleSavita StephensonCarlesa DuncanAntonio Phillips Ariana Charran Sharai Harris
Layout of this presentation Definition of the Forest Biome
The three main types of Forest
Where the Forest types can be found?
Species present in the types of Forest
Abiotic characteristics of the Forest biomes
Structure of the Forest
Importance of the Forest
Threats
Conclusion
References
What is the Forest BiomeForest biomes - are defined as biological
communities that are dominated by trees and
other woody vegetation that can be classified
according to numerous characteristics with
seasonality being the most widely used. (
Spurr and Barnes 1980).
The Three Main Types of Forest Tropical Hardwood Forests: These include
rainforests and are characterized by an annual rainfall of about 160-400 inches (406-1000cm) with an average temperature of 80°F (27°C) and support a great diversity of plant life.
Temperate Hardwood Forests: These types of forests are marked by their seasonal rainfall distribution. There is also a growing season of 140-200 days during 4-6 frost free months.
Boreal Forests: These forests are the largest terrestrial biomes. Seasons are divided into short, moist, and moderately warm summers and long, cold, and dry winters. The length of the growing season in boreal forests is 130 days.
Where the types can be found? Tropical Hardwood Forests: This type of forest is found
between the Tropics of Cancer ad the Tropics of Capricorn forming a belt of green-life.
Temperate Hardwood Forests: They are found in areas with warm, moist summers and mild winters. Mostly in the Northern Hemisphere: Eastern North America, East Asia, Europe and small areas in Australia and South America.
Boreal Forests: This type of forest extends in broad bands across North America and Eurasia. In North America it covers most of inland Canada and Alaska. In Eurasia it covers most of Sweden, Finland and Norway
Map Source: www.tes.com
Species present in the types of Forest
Boreal ForestAnimals Plants
Raven Shrubs and wildflowers
Wolves Conifers (fir and pine)
Squirrels Small leaved deciduous trees (willow and alder)
Moose Trees (oak, elm and maple)
Fir (conifers) Moose
Tropical Hardwood Forest
Animals Plants
Vampire Bat Coconut trees
Toco Tucan Mangrove forests
Chimpanzee Bengal bamboo
Proboscis Monkey Epiphytes
Orangutan Buttress roots
Buttress Roots Epiphytes
Temperate hardwood Forests
Animals Plants
White tailed deer Lichens
Raccoons Moss
Red foxes Ferns
Woodpeckers Magnolia
opossums Maple
Opossums Magnolia Tree
Abiotic characteristics of the Forest Biomes
The Boreal Forest
Temperature
1. Long winters and short mild summers
2. Cold winds come down from the arctic lasting about 6-7 months
3. Winter temperature ranges from a high of 30 to a low of -65 degrees F
4. Summer ranges from a high of 70 to a low of 30 degrees F
5. Average over all yearly temperature is 32 degrees F
Abiotic characteristics of the Forest Biomes
Sunlight
1. 20 hours of sunlight per day during the summer
2. Limited daylight during the winter
Precipitation
1. Receives 20- 200cm ( 8-79 inches) of precipitation
per year
2. Precipitation occurs mostly in the form of snow
Abiotic characteristics of the Forest Biomes
Soil Conditions
1. The soil is acidic
2. It is poor in nutrients
3. The ground is swampy and marshy in many parts
of the forest
Abiotic characteristics of the Forest Biomes
Tropical Hardwood Forest
Temperature
1. Temperature is on an average of 20- 25 degrees C
Precipitation
1. Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year.
2. There is an average of 50- 260 inches ( 125- 660 cm) of rain falls yearly.
Abiotic characteristics of the Forest Biomes
Soil Conditions
1. Soil is nutrient poor and acidic.
2. Decomposition is rapid.
3. Soils are subject to heavy leaching.
Abiotic characteristics of the Forest Biomes
Temperate Hardwood Forest
Temperature
1. Temperature varies from – 30 degrees C to 30
degrees C
Precipitation
1. Precipitation ( 75- 150cm) is distributed evenly
throughout the year.
Soil Conditions
1. Soil is fertile and enriched with decaying litter.
The Structure of the ForestThere are four basic structure of the forest, namely:
1. The Emergent Layer
2. The Canopy Layer
3. The Understory
4. The Forest Floor
The Structure of the Forest
Importance of the Forest There are many reasons why the Forest biome is
important however some of these reasons are:
1. It forms Habitats and Ecosystems
2. It serves as a Watershed
3. It is considered the lungs of the earth
4. Climate control
5. It has economic benefits
Threats Anthropological
activity:
Urbanization
Logging
Mining
Agriculture
Acid rain
Loss of keystone species
Pollution of soils etc.
Natural threats Forest fires – nature itself via lightening storms ac
cause forest fires especially in periods of drought
Pests - such as locust and the mountain pine beetle have been know to destroy large section of forest .
Natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, tidal waves , typhoons , tornadoes and hurricanes are all natural threats to forests biomes.
Conclusion Forest are the most diverse biomes on the planet . The
continuous growth of fauna supports the diversification and life of millions of species.
However this vast expanse is under threat where large area are cleared for human gain.
Governments must work to provide incentives for the protection and sustainable management of this resource .
References http://enviropol.com/index.php/forest-structure
http://eschooltoday.com/forests/importance-of-forests.html
http://www.brighthub.com/environment/science-environmental/articles/81812.aspxhttp://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/forests.php
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/forests.php
http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/science/forest-types-forests.html
http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep8c.htm