Deciduous woodland Flashcards
1
Q
Where are decidous woodlands located?
A
temperate forest biome
2
Q
What are some key characteristics of the deciduous woodland?
A
- trees shed leaves for several months each year to cope with reductions in light and lower temeratures
- canopy layer between 20 - 30m above ground
- sub canopy of saplings + shade tolerant bushess
- herb layer of plants (eg bluebells)
- herb layer plants flower early in spring before trees block out the light
3
Q
What are biotic characterristics of the deciduous woodland?
A
- large biomass
- lots of precipitation + summer warmth
- soil + biomass nutrient stores are similar sizes
- annual leaf fall adds nutrients to the soil
- spring - decomposition is rapid as temperatures rise
- soil is very fertile
- human activity - humans manage many deciduous woodlands
4
Q
What are abiotic characterristics of the deciduous woodland?
A
- soil is only 1m deep - not existed for long + processes of soil formation are slow
- deep roots of trees break up the bedrock, which adds nutirients to soil
- leaf litter and ground layer of plants + tree roots prevents surface runoff
5
Q
What are the key features of a nutrient cycle diagram?
A
- circles - nutrient stores
- arrows - nutrient tranfers
- B = biomass
- L = litter
- S = soil
6
Q
Explain why decidous woodlands have moderate biodiversity
A
low temperature conditions which slow down the production of food in the winter
7
Q
Give examples of oak tree adaptaptations
A
- large, strong trees
- spread branches horizontally - ensures their leaves capture as much sunlight as possible
- leaves are broad - width maximises amount of solar energy the oak can access
- enormous root system - anchors tree against winter gales + enables access to groundwater in dry conditions
8
Q
What are the bluebell’s adaptations?
A
- flower at the start of spring before trees come into leaf to maximise light and access to pollinating insects
8
Q
Give examples of animal adaptations in the deciduous woodland
A
- migration: birds move south to warmer countries (eg central Africa) in winter
- hibernation: deep sleep where metabolic rate drops very low - require only a little energy to survive (eg hedgehogs, dormice, bats)
- food storage: store food to survive in winter - squirrels store nuts in piles or bury them
8
Q
A
8
Q
A
9
Q
A
10
Q
Give examples of deciduous woodland goods
A
- timber
- fuel
- non timber forest products
11
Q
Give examples of deciduous woodland services
A
- recreation
- carbon capture
- conservation
