Deciduous Forest Plants
The plants of a temperate deciduous forest adapt to the biome in a variety of ways, depending on the type of plant. The trees grow large leaves to absorb the most possible light during the growing season. The bark of deciduous trees is thicker and heartier than tropical trees to
protect the inner core during long, hard winters. Smaller plants, such as flowers and ferns, grow early in the spring with long, quick-growing leaves. This allows the plant to absorb as much sunlight as possible before the forest trees leaf and block the full strength of the sun.
protect the inner core during long, hard winters. Smaller plants, such as flowers and ferns, grow early in the spring with long, quick-growing leaves. This allows the plant to absorb as much sunlight as possible before the forest trees leaf and block the full strength of the sun.
Deciduous Forest Animals
Animals spend much of the growing season preparing for winter. Small animals, such as squirrels and chipmunks, gather nuts and seeds, storing them in hollow logs or holes in the ground. Larger mammals, such bears, woodchucks and raccoons, spend the summer eating as much as possible. The weight they gain during the summer and fall allow these animals to hibernate during the winter when the weather is cold and food is scarce. Many birds migrate away from the temperate biome to warmer climates.