Deciduous Forest

Alix MorrisonJena Manley

BOT 171

First ImpressionsFirst Impressions

• Germantown Germantown MetroparkMetropark

• 5 Layers5 Layers• Leaf Litter Leaf Litter

prominentprominent• Many fallen Many fallen

treestrees

First ImpressionsFirst Impressions• Backwoods of Backwoods of

Alix’s houseAlix’s house• 5 layers5 layers• Many Maple TreesMany Maple Trees• Fallen trees from Fallen trees from

windstormwindstorm• Leaf LitterLeaf Litter

Do these two Do these two natural areas natural areas display the same display the same characteristics of a characteristics of a deciduous forest?deciduous forest?

TreesTrees

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• Basswood & Beech common in Basswood & Beech common in GermantownGermantown• Ash & Buckeye found on Alix’s siteAsh & Buckeye found on Alix’s site

Trees Cont.Trees Cont.

• Maples prominent on both sites (very young Maples prominent on both sites (very young maples near ground & in sub-canopy)maples near ground & in sub-canopy)

Herbaceous PlantsHerbaceous Plants

• Various herbaceous plants growing Various herbaceous plants growing up through leaf litterup through leaf litter

ShrubsShrubs

• Honeysuckle around edges of woodsHoneysuckle around edges of woods

Simple Plants & FungiSimple Plants & Fungi

• Moss prevalent on rocks, bases of Moss prevalent on rocks, bases of trees, and fallen treestrees, and fallen trees

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Soils & LitterSoils & Litter

• Very thick leaf litter, deep organic layerVery thick leaf litter, deep organic layer• Rich soilRich soil• Many fallen, decaying treesMany fallen, decaying trees

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ConclusionConclusion

ReferencesReferences•Fialkowski, M., & Bitner, A. (2008). Universal rules for fragmentation of land by humans. Landscape Ecology, 23(9), 1013 - 1022.•Kara, O., & Bolat, I. (2008). Plant canopy effects on litter accumulation and soil microbial biomass in two temperate forests. Biology and Fertility of Soils. 45, 193-198.•Pearce, D. W. . (2001). The Economic Value of Forest Ecosystems. Ecosystem Health, 7(4), 284-296.•Queensland University of Technology (2007, July 6). Weeds Survive The Wild Better Than Natives. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 20, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2007/07/070704144838.htm•Vellend, M., & Lechowicz, M.J. (2000). Germination and establishment of forest sedges. American Journal of Botany .