Temperate deciduous forests have a great variety of plant species. Most have three levels of plants. Lichen, moss, ferns, wildflowers and other small plants can be found on the forest floor. Shrubs fill in the middle level and hardwood trees like maple, oak, birch, magnolia, sweet gum and beech make up the third level. Conifers like spruce, fir and pine trees can also be found mixed in with the hardwood trees in this biome. Sometimes the taiga and the temperate deciduous forest overlap.
Animal Life CardinalThere is great diversity of life in this biome. Insects, spiders, slugs, frogs, turtles and salamanders are common. In North America, birds like broad-winged hawks, cardinals, snowy owls, and pileated woodpeckers are found in this biome. Mammals in North American temperate deciduous forests include white-tailed deer, raccoons, opossums, porcupines and red foxes.
Animals that live in the temperate deciduous forest must be able to adapt to the changing seasons. Some animals in this biome migrate or hibernate in the winter.
<span>The study of how traits are inherited though the interaction of alleles is defined as genetics and it began in the 1850's. Gregor Mendel was the first scientist to study genetics. </span>
Soil form as rock is broken down by weathering and mixes with other materials on surface. soil is constantly being formed wherever bedrock is exposed. over time soil develops layers called horizons. a soil horizon is a layer of a soil that differs in color and texture from the layers above or below it.
