Temperate Deciduous Forests: Answer Key

1. Describe or explain the following information about temperate deciduous forests:

While most of the Youtube videos speak of evolutionary origins for the temperate deciduous forest biome, this video only deals with describing the present identifying marks of a deciduous forest. [1]

Untamedscience.com contains several videos and detailed information about Temperate Deciduous Forests as well as other biomes! [2]

1a. In simple terms, describe a temperate deciduous forest.

A moist forest composed of broad-leafed trees, which lose their leaves in the winter.

1b. List several characteristics of temperate deciduous forests.

Temperate forest in Germany just as the leaf canopy is opening
Canopy of trees

The climate has distinct warm and cool seasons - one of them may be rather dry. The four seasons - spring, summer, atutumn, and winter are distinct periods of the year with differing temperatures and weather (climate).

There are three layers - canopy, understory, and rich layer of humus on the forest floor. The canopy is the covering made by the tall broadleaf trees. The understory is shrubs, bushes, briars, and the like. The quantity of leaf matter, combined with the high moisture that is part of this biome create a quickly decomposing and thus nutrient rich layer of humus (dirt) on the forest floor. The forest floor has a huge variety of shade tolerant plants and wild flowers that can bloom and turn to seed efficiently in a shady moist environment.[3]

There is a seasonal appearance and disappearance of the canopy. The canopy is the leaves on the trees. These leaves die each autumn and in the spring, appear as new growth.

Temperate deciduous forests are all in the temperate latitudes, 23 degrees to 66 degrees (both North and South of the equator).

Flowering species time their flowering for the spring just prior to the canopy’s appearance, when light still makes it to the forest floor.

Migratory birds often time their arrival for shortly after the canopy opens so as the have access to the (now present) insects and the protective cover of the canopy. [4]

Deer, squirrels, foxes, coyotes, and bear are the dominant mammals in the temperate deciduous forest.

1c. Provide other names that are used for the temperate deciduous forest.

“Temperate Broadleaf Forest” or “Mixed Forest”

1d. From a map, show the continents where temperate deciduous forests can be found.

Extent of temperate broadleaf and mixed forests

North America, Europe, Asia, Australia. Note forests are not found in all parts of these continents, but they occur in locations that have suitable climates in these 4 continents.

1e. Define biome. What is usually found north of the temperate deciduous forest?

One way of mapping terrestrial biomes around the world

A Biome is a group of plants and animals that are adapted to meet the natural regional environment’s physical environment, latitude, elevation, and terrain. Taiga (coniferous forest) – the winters are too cold here for deciduous trees to grow.

Please view the linked “biomes of the world” image to see how some scientists divide the worlds biomes.

2. Identify, from pictures or in nature, four types of trees commonly found in temperate deciduous forests.

You can choose other species common in your area. Maple, Beech, Elm, Oak, Tulip Poplar, and Sassafras are common in Northern Hemisphere temperate deciduous forests, while in the Southern Hemisphere trees of the genus Nothofagus dominate.

White Oak: Gamble oak
White Oak: Northern Pin Oak
Silver maple 5058
American Beech Leaves
Rock Elm, Leaves and Bark
Sassafras
Tulip Poplar

3. Explain why leaves turn color in the fall.

The green color of leaves is caused by chlorophyll, which is what traps the sun’s energy so that the leaves can make chemical energy. In the fall when it gets cold, the chlorophyll can become toxic. So in the fall the trees breakdown the chlorophyll, which reveals other pigments in the leaves (yellow, orange, brown and red).

4. Read Genesis 1:11-13. Discover when Genesis 1 says the trees were created.

Day 3

5. Identify, from pictures or in nature, at least five species of flowering plants commonly found in a temperate deciduous forest. Why are they usually only found in spring?

In The Northern Hemisphere, Trillium, May Apple, Forget-me-nots, violets, Spring Beauty, Fire Pink, False Solomon’s Seal, Eastern Wild Columbine, Hepatica, Starflower, and Trout Lily are common. Consult local sources for flowers common to your temperate deciduous forest.

The Great White Trillium
May Apple
common violet
Spring Beauty
Fire Pink
False Solomon’s Seal
Wild Columbine
Hepatica
Northern Starflower
Erythronium americanum - Trout Lily

A much more extensive list along with images is available at wildflower.org

Flowering species time their flowering for the spring just prior to the canopy’s appearance, when light still makes it to the forest floor. Others that tolerate partial or full shade bloom later.

6. Identify, from pictures or in nature, at least five species of mammals commonly found in the temperate deciduous forests.

Black bear, deer, raccoon, skunk, squirrels, chipmunk, opossum, and fox are some of the most widespread of mammals present in a temperate deciduous forest are common and widespread. Less common are coyote, wolf Duckbill platypus (Australia) and weasel.

Black bear
Black bear cub
White Tailed Deer fawn
White-Tailed Deer
Raccoon, female after washing up
Raccoon
Striped Skunk
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Chipmunk
Opossum
Opossum playing dead
Fox
Eastern Coyote
Grey wolf
Ornithorhynchus
Bridled weasel

7. Identify, from pictures or in nature, at least five types of birds commonly found in temperate deciduous forests.

The most notable bird found in the North American temperate deciduous forest is the American Bald Eagle. Other common birds include - Warblers, Canada Goose, Red tailed Hawk, cardinal, Veery, Crow, Raven, vulture, turkey, owl, grosbeaks, vireos, and MANY others.

Please modify this list for those common in your closest temperate deciduous forest. Note: the following gallery heavily favors birds in the North American biome. If you find Creative Commons images for birds found in the biome on other continents, please add them to the gallery AND list above.

American Bald Eagle
Worm-eating Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler (Eastern USA)
Canada Goose
Red-tailed Hawk
Cardinal (Eastern USA)
Veery (Eastern USA)
Crow
Raven
Turkey Vulture
Wild Turkey
Great Horned Owl
Blue Grosbeak female
Yellow-throated Vireo

8. List important resources provided to your region by temperate deciduous forests.

PLEASE NOTE THE WORDING “to your region.” Hardwoods provided by broadleaf trees from the temperate deciduous forest biome provide different resources (albeit related) to different portions of the world. The list below is a suggestion and may differ somewhat from the correct answer for your region.

Hardwood:

Hardwood for long lasting furniture
Hardwood for floors, paneling, and other house building needs
Hardwood for long lasting hot fires
Pallets
Maples for Maple syrup

Other:

food from hunting (especially deer)[5]
maintenance of the world’s ecosystems as they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen back into the atmosphere.[6]
recreational areas (hiking, camping, geocaching, etc.)

9. Learn about one invasive species that affects temperate deciduous forests.

Invasive (non native) species abound. Plants, animals, and birds can all be considered invasive (non native) if they were introduced into an area that they were not originally native to.

National Park Service (USA) has a complete site with hundreds of links dedicated to invasive species present in the National Park system [7].

Plants:

Key Online resources:

Invasive Plant Atlas.org [8] [National Park Service http://www.nps.gov] (search park name and then invasive species for a list)
The National Park Service (USA) has also provided downloadable PDFs with details and pictures for hundreds of invasive plant species by region.

Mid-Atlantic [9]

In the United States, the story usually goes something like this: Originally brought from (China, Japan, India, etc.) as an ornamental or decorative plant. Escaped, and began to take over the area.

Other plants were brought over purposefully to aid in erosion control, plant control, or even insect control. However, the invasion of the new species usually far outweighed the benefits.

Some invasive plant species include:

Kudzu Vine (widespread across the mid-atlantic and southern USA)
Japanese knotweed
Buckthorn

Challenge the young people to collect (if collection is allowed) items as they go on a hike or walk through a deciduous forest. They can share their stories upon their return.

An OBJECT LESSON is defined as a type of story which involves a visible tangible object that the speaker displays during her/his talk.

Here is one example of many:

Fall Colors: The fall colors of the deciduous forests are famous around the world! The green chlorophyll in the leaves, which uses the suns light to make energy for the leaf, will become toxic to the tree if it remains and the temperatures get to cold. So the leaves break down the green-colored chlorophyll leaving the yellow and orange-colored carotene pigments, which have been hidden all summer by all the green chlorophyll. The red pigment of maple leaves is caused by anthocyanin. This red pigment is added in the fall at about the time the green chlorophyll disappears. While the colors are beautiful, one can’t help but wonder why so much energy is used to make all that red pigment which will last for only a couple of weeks and then be of no use when the leaves fall off?

Scientists have now discovered at least three possible purposes for the anthocyanin in fall. Red repels aphids! Seeing their favorite tree turn red makes them jump off and find some other leaf to eat! So once a year the anthocyanin acts as an insect repellent. Secondly, when the leaves fall off, the anthocyanin is absorbed in the soil around the base of the tree and acts as an herbicide. Other trees are less likely to sprout and grow and compete with the mature tree! The third reason for anthocyanin is that it can help the tree trap the sun’s energy when the chlorophyll is gone thus extending the growing season a bit longer.

God often does things that may seem strange to us but He always has a purpose for what He does. He acts on our behalf; each act for a functional purpose. But He also adds beauty to the work He does. Enjoy the fall colors and be reminded that He is in control.

11. Do at least three of the following activities:

11a. Visit an exhibit or conservatory of deciduous tree species.

Many hiking trails offer trail maps or sign posts with tree names and details mounted on or near the tree. Research whether your area has such a trail. Another option is to have a naturalist guide you on a hike to identify deciduous tree species.

11b. Make a collection of at least five types of leaves from temperate deciduous forest trees.

11c. Visit a zoo or nature center where there are animals typical of the temperate deciduous forests biome.

If you are planning to visit a zoo or aquarium, be aware that there are various honors that have requirements which can be met by visiting a zoo or aquarium. Individuals can work on multiple honors in one visit, or parts of your group may work on different honors during the same visit.

Here is a list of honors which have requirements that can be met by visiting a zoo or aquarium:

AY Honor Animal Camouflage

AY Honor Bible Discovery I

AY Honor Endangered Species

AY Honor Harmful Animals

AY Honor Island Fishing

AY Honor Marine Mammals

AY Honor Marsupials

AY Honor Marsupials & Monotremes

AY Honor Temperate Grasslands

AY Honor Venomous Animals

11d. Watch a video about temperate deciduous forests, or plants or animals that live in temperate deciduous forests.

11e. Draw or paint a picture of something you had fun learning about while studying temperate deciduous forests.

11f. As a group, make a short video about a real life temperate deciduous forest conservation project. Explain why this specific habitat should be saved.

11g. Visit a lumber store and learn to identify by their grain texture at least three species of trees that are deciduous.

References

Adapted from AY Honors/Temperate Deciduous Forests/Answer Key on the Pathfinder Wiki, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. See the original page's history for its authors.
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