The Temperate Deciduous Forest: Biodiversity

Alyssa Nucci
AP Biology-4

The Temperate Deciduous Forest:

Biodiversity

The Temperate Deciduous Forest is very rich in its biodiversity. To begin with, this biome has four seasons, meaning its weather patterns and temperature levels are very diverse, allowing various distinct elements to thrive within this biotic environment. Animals in the Temperate Deciduous Forest range from ants, flies, bees, and dragonflies, reptiles such as frogs, toads, snakes, various types of birds, to mammals such as rabbits, beavers, raccoons, squirrels, and larger mammals like bears, deer, and moose.

In this biome, there is a food web consisting of three trophic levels. The bottom level is home to earthworms, bacteria, and fungi within the soil. These organisms provide the nutrients for the organisms in the next trophic level. The second level is made up of primary producers. These organisms use the nutrients provided by these detritivores as well as sunlight to produce energy through photosynthesis. Primary consumers make up the third level, mostly herbivores sustaining themselves with these primary producers. Primary consumers provide energy for secondary consumers (carnivores and omnivores) in the fourth trophic level. The uppermost level is made up of the top carnivores, called tertiary consumers.

Plant life in the Temperate Deciduous Forest is also very diverse in that there are multiple layers within the environment. The bottom layer is the forest floor. Here, earthworms, bacteria, fungi, and insects live, using their physical and metabolic processes along with the rich soil (from decayed leaves, twigs, moss, and animal waste) to maintain the carbon levels of the Temperate Deciduous Forest. The herb layer consists of shade-tolerant and soft-stemmed plants such as wildflowers, ferns, and grasses. Next is the shrub layer, where woody vegetation grows in enough sunlight. After comes the forest canopy, where trees such as oak, birch, and maple grow. Younger trees make up the understory of the canopy and taller trees above the canopy make up the emergent layer of the environment.

“Temperate Deciduous Forest (Biome) - Climate, Location, Animals, Plants.” Biology Dictionary, 19 May 2017, biologydictionary.net/temperate-deciduous-forest/.

Comments

The Temperate Deciduous Forest: K-Selected and R-Selected Species

Alyssa Nucci AP Biology-4 The Temperate Deciduous Forest: K-Selected and R-Selected Species K-selected species are species whose populations fluctuate at or near the carrying capacity of the environment. K-selected species have relatively stable populations and produce low numbers of offspring, therefore are density dependent. These species are characterized by long gestation periods, slow maturation, and long life spans. K-selected species tend to live in stable biological communities like forests. Examples of K-selected species include the American black bear, red fox, and white-tailed deer. R-selected species are species whose populations are defined by their biotic potential, meaning their maximum reproductive capacity. These species produce high numbers of offspring, require short gestation periods, mature quickly, and have short life spans. R-selected species ...

The Temperate Deciduous Forest: Keystone Species

Alyssa Nucci AP Biology-4 The Temperate Deciduous Forest: Keystone Species Keystone species are organisms within an ecosystem in which other species largely depend upon, furthermore upholding the sustainability of the ecosystem. In the Temperate Deciduous Forest biome, a keystone species is the white-tailed deer. This is because their feeding activity can affect many plants and animals in the surrounding environment. White-tailed deer thrive best in forests with biodiversity. In the spring and summer seasons, these deer eat grasses, wildflowers, mushrooms, and woody plant leaves. As fall begins, the deer gravitate towards acorns, fallen fruits, and crops. In winter, deer eat woody vegetation such as twigs, bark, and foliage. Deer are preyed upon by wolves, coyotes, bears, bobcats, and humans. As prey, their carcasses can sustain other organisms in their environment such as eagles, ravens, crows, etc. D...

The Temperate Deciduous Forest: Predatory/Prey Relationship

Alyssa Nucci AP Biology-4 The Temperate Deciduous Forest: Predator/Prey Relationship It is given that predators influence the population of their prey. However, it is shown here that conversely, prey affects the number of predators. As the number of prey drops, so does the number of predators, due to a now limited food supply. Here is an example of a common predator/prey relationship in the Temperate Deciduous Forest: Wolves and Rabbits. As the number of wolves decreases, in turn the number of rabbits begins to increase again, eventually increasing the number of wolves. This cycle can repeat indefinitely as long as the predator and prey populations remain. “Predator-Prey Interaction .” Predator-Prey Interaction , www2.nau.edu/lrm22/lessons/predator_prey/predator_prey.html.

Assignment 5: Biome/Ecosystem Project

Search This Blog