Forest BiomeForest Biome

Forest ClimaForest Climatete

Forest PlantForest PlantssForest Forest

AnimalsAnimals

Forest ClimateForest Climate During the summer, it During the summer, it

gets hot!gets hot!

During the winter, it During the winter, it gets cold.gets cold.

Until . . .

As you go down the mountain:

you start to feel warmer,

your breathing becomes easier,

and you enjoy the sight of beautiful plants and animals!

. . . Elevation comes into . . . Elevation comes into effect !effect !

The higher you go up into the mountain:

the colder the temperature gets,

the thinner the air gets (thus making it harder to breath),

and the less you see plants growing there.

Forest BiomeForest Biome

Forest Forest ClimateClimate

Forest Forest PlantsPlantsForest Forest

AnimalsAnimals

Forest PlantsForest PlantsThe 3 main levels are: forest floor, understory, and canopy.

The forest floor is the soil, dead plants and animals waiting to rot away. But also as part of the forest floor is a layer known as the herb layer. This is where the grasses and wildflowers grow .

Other plants, bushes and small trees make up the understory (also known as the shrub layer).

The last layer is where the trees are and it is known as the canopy layer.

In a forest biome, In a forest biome, you will find three you will find three main layers! main layers! . . . Or maybe more!. . . Or maybe more!3 Layer

Forest

5 Layer Forest

Effects on Plant LifeEffects on Plant Life

* The soil, water, sunshine, * The soil, water, sunshine, temperature, rainfall, and temperature, rainfall, and fire influence what plants fire influence what plants and trees grow in an area. and trees grow in an area.

* But, each plant is different. * But, each plant is different. Thus, all the elements effect Thus, all the elements effect each plant in different ways.each plant in different ways.

For example:

Trees are classified into two types of trees.

Coniferous TreesConiferous Trees

Temperature: : -40°C to 20°C, average summer temperature is -40°C to 20°C, average summer temperature is 10°C 10°C

Precipitation: : 300 to 900 millimeters of rain per year. The 300 to 900 millimeters of rain per year. The amount of precipitation depends on the forest location. In the amount of precipitation depends on the forest location. In the north, the winters are long, cold and dry, while the short north, the winters are long, cold and dry, while the short summers are moderately warm and moist. In the south, summers are moderately warm and moist. In the south, precipitation is more evenly distributed throughout the year. precipitation is more evenly distributed throughout the year.

Utah has a little of both types of precipitation Utah has a little of both types of precipitation combined!combined!

Coniferous trees are trees that grow needles instead of leaves, and are trees that grow needles instead of leaves, and cones instead of flowers. Conifers tend to be evergreen, that is, they cones instead of flowers. Conifers tend to be evergreen, that is, they bear needles and stay green all year long. These adaptations help bear needles and stay green all year long. These adaptations help conifers survive in areas that are very cold or dry. Some of the more conifers survive in areas that are very cold or dry. Some of the more common conifers are spruces, pines, and firs.common conifers are spruces, pines, and firs.

Deciduous TreesDeciduous Trees

Temperature: : -30°C to 30°C, yearly average is 10°C. The -30°C to 30°C, yearly average is 10°C. The temperature varies widely from season to season with cold temperature varies widely from season to season with cold winters and hot, wet summers. winters and hot, wet summers.

Precipitation: : 750 to 1,500 mm of rain per year 750 to 1,500 mm of rain per year

Utah has both characteristics of a deciduous and Utah has both characteristics of a deciduous and coniferous forest, meaning you can find both coniferous forest, meaning you can find both deciduous trees and coniferous trees there. deciduous trees and coniferous trees there.

Deciduous Trees Deciduous Trees are notable for going through four seasons. During are notable for going through four seasons. During the fall, their leaves change color, then they begin to lose them. This is the fall, their leaves change color, then they begin to lose them. This is in preparation for the winter season. Because it gets so cold, the trees in preparation for the winter season. Because it gets so cold, the trees have adapted to the winter by going into a period of dormancy or have adapted to the winter by going into a period of dormancy or sleep. This is how the trees survive. They also have thick bark to sleep. This is how the trees survive. They also have thick bark to protect them from the cold weather. Deciduous trees’ flowers begin to protect them from the cold weather. Deciduous trees’ flowers begin to grow again during spring and continue throughout the summer. grow again during spring and continue throughout the summer.

Some common deciduous tress, also known asSome common deciduous tress, also known as Broadleaf trees, are Broadleaf trees, are oaks, maples, beeches, hickory, and chestnut.   oaks, maples, beeches, hickory, and chestnut.   

Forest BiomeForest Biome

Forest Forest ClimateClimate

Forest Forest PlantsPlantsForest Forest

AnimalsAnimals

Forest AnimalsForest AnimalsHere are various Here are various types of animals types of animals that live in a forest!that live in a forest!

In the End,In the End,

Every animal and plant is part Every animal and plant is part of an ecosystem.of an ecosystem.

An ecosystem is a community of plants An ecosystem is a community of plants and animals interacting with their and animals interacting with their environment. Every living thing depends environment. Every living thing depends on each other to survive!on each other to survive!

For example:For example:Trees and plants provide food, Trees and plants provide food,

oxygen and shelter for oxygen and shelter for animals.animals.

The animals in return The animals in return eventually die, rot and eventually die, rot and fertilize the soil so that trees fertilize the soil so that trees and plants get their food. and plants get their food. They also help with starting They also help with starting new tree and plant growth.new tree and plant growth.

Both plants and animals help Both plants and animals help control the land’s climate.control the land’s climate.