Pennsylvania is in the biome known as the temperate deciduous zone . The most outstanding characteristic of this zone is the changing of seasons through the complete cycle of spring, summer, fall, and winter. This quest will introduce you to this biome and its most outstanding characteristic. You will learn many things about your natural environment and how living things, both plant and animal, have adapted to the changing of the seasons.
Primary Succession
First, bare rock is exposed, pioneer organisms(lichen) are first to live there.
Moss will start to grow.
The rocks break down, weeds and grasses grow (when they die they decompose).
Bushes and small trees will grow. Pine trees grow first because they require fewer nutrients and less water.
When soil is rich, deciduous trees start to grow (leaves will fall eventually and adds to soil). Deciduous trees will take over.
Finally climax, wild flowers and small shrubs.
Moss will start to grow.
The rocks break down, weeds and grasses grow (when they die they decompose).
Bushes and small trees will grow. Pine trees grow first because they require fewer nutrients and less water.
When soil is rich, deciduous trees start to grow (leaves will fall eventually and adds to soil). Deciduous trees will take over.
Finally climax, wild flowers and small shrubs.
Secondary Succession
First, weeds will start to grow, and grasses will follow, then shrubs and trees.
Trees that grow the fastest and tallest are the ones that are most successful.
Then climax forest will redevelop.
Trees that grow the fastest and tallest are the ones that are most successful.
Then climax forest will redevelop.
Human impact - People cut down valuable timber from forests and use it for things such as houses, ships, and paper. It is beneficial to us but not for the forest. The land beneath the healthy forests is often very rich and great for farming, so farmers will cut down trees to make space for farms ,but it is harmful for the forest and it makes harder to grow back plants and trees. Acid rain is also a major component in human impact over time it kills trees and other plants but not only trees and plants but it can cause living organisms from ponds and lakes to die. It is caused from power plants, car fuel, and coal burning.
Biogeochemical cycle of deciduous forest
Predictions - We predict that if we don't put a limit to the number of trees we kill we will not have much forest left and if we don't stop we will kill many animals that live in deciduous forest.