Effects+of+Abiotic+Factors+- Temperate+Deciduous+Forest

Temperature
 Temperature is always changing in the temperate deciduous forest. There tend to be 4 periods of similar temperature, which are commonly known as the 4 seasons. When the temperature is warm, plants and animals are able to (re)grow and develop. Spring is the beginning of the warm months, and is when animals tend to reproduce, plants begin to grow, and trees begin to shoot out new leaves. Summer is when animals mature enough to be able to survive the cold, and when plants are at their most mature stage. When the temperature starts cooling, plants and animals take that as their cue to prepare for the freezing winter. Trees take cooling temperatures as a cue to go dormant, although this dormancy can be delayed if moderately warm temperatures last longer. (F2) Once the coldest winter months come in, many plants are either dead/dormant, and most animals either die or hibernate. Since temperature follows predictable patterns that repeat every year, most organisms in the temperate deciduous forest have life cycles or habits that take the changing temperatures into account. (F1)

Precipitation
Precipitation is a vital component of the temperate deciduous forest, and there needs to be a balanced amount of precipitation. Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year, ranging from 30-60 inches annually. However, climate change has been drastically affecting the amount of precipitation.Some forests are experiencing major drought, while others are experiencing heavy flooding. Since the temperate forest experiences all 4 seasons, this becomes an issue in the winter months with the collection of ice. Ice accumulation is a potential dang er to the trees in the forest and can exert irreplaceable damage.(F3)

(F4)

Water
The temperate deciduous forest is characterized by abundant rainfall (excess of 30 inches annually) (F7) and vegetation. The cycling of water is important to the temperate deciduous forest. Specifically, the water cycle of this biome is unique because of the density of vegetation. For this reason, transpiration plays a significant role in the water cycle of this biome (F5). Furthermore, evaporation from oceans, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water and catalyze the movement of water (F6). When precipitation (rain) falls upon a temperate deciduous forest, it typically gathers as groundwater and is soaked up by the soil which maintains the fertility of the soil for vegetation. Because of this build up of groundwater, water outlets and small springs seep from the ground. Large springs or outlets are known as freshwater tributaries. These streams may develop into rivers that flow downhill. Forest streams and moving bodies of water act as hosts for certain organisms in the biome. Examples include fish and certain invertebrates, as well as raccoons which may visit periodically. Besides freshwater tributaries and small, active moving bodies of water in this biome, many temperate forests have freshwater ponds or swamps. Over time, these freshwater ponds may even fill with sediment and form a marsh (F7). These ponds and marshes become prominent sources of productivity in the forest (F8). Further, swamps sustain deciduous species such as conifers (e.g., bald cypress and the American larch). For this reason, these species thrive in deciduous forests and are very tolerant of wet conditions.

(F7) Freshwater Pond surrounded by Autumn Forest

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