Forest biomes , a college tutorial

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