Climatic Climax Temperate Deciduous Woodland

• Herb Layer in Temperate Deciduous Woodlands:

  • Leaf litter is broken down by decomposers making the soil nutrient rich
  • Low levels of sunlight and high humidty
  • Plants such as grass found at the herb layer
• Herb Layer in Temperate Deciduous Woodlands:


  • Leaf litter is broken down by decomposers making the soil nutrient rich
  • Low levels of sunlight and high humidty
  • Plants such as grass found at the herb layer
• Shrub layer in Temperate Deciduous Woodlands:

  • Higher humidity levels than in the canopy
  • Small trees such as hazel found at the shrub layer and are shade tolerant
• What type of tree species are found at the shrub layer in temperate deciduous woodland?

  hazel
• Shrub layer in Temperate Deciduous Woodlands:


  • Higher humidity levels than in the canopy
  • Small trees such as hazel found at the shrub layer and are shade tolerant
• The shrub layer in temperate deciduous woodlands have higher humidity levels than what layer?

  canopy
• Canopy layer in Temperate deciduous woodlands:


  • High availability of light therefore the rate of photosynthesis is high
  • The layer consists of large broad leaved trees such as oak
• Canopy layer in Temperate deciduous woodlands:

  • High availability of light therefore the rate of photosynthesis is high
  • The layer consists of large broad leaved trees such as oak
• What grows on the trunks and branches of temperate deciduous trees in all layers?

  lichen and mosses
• When do temperate deciduous trees lose their leaves?

  autumn
• Why do temperate deciduous trees lose their leaves in autumn?

  to conserve water for winter as there is low light and frozen soil
• What is the average temperature of temperate deciduous woodlands?

  between 5 and 20 degrees
• What is the average rainfall of temperate deciduous woodlands?

  40 to 60 mm
• What is the productivity like in temperate deciduous woodlands?

  high
• What trees grow in temperate deciduous woodlands?

  Oak and beech
• What is the soil called in temperate deciduous woodlands?

  brown earth zonal soil
• Is the soil nutrient rich or poor in temperate deciduous woodlands?

  nutrient rich
• Why is the soil nutrient rich in temperate deciduous woodlands?

  rapid leaf decomposition
• What forms after the decomposition of leaves in temperate deciduous woodlands?

  a layer of humus which is rich in organic matter and nutrients which as a result contributes to the soil fertility
• What grows in the spring and summer of temperate deciduous woodlands?

  herbaceous species such as mosses
• Why do herbaceous species grow in temperate deciduous woodlands during spring and summer?

  They thrive in warm and moist conditions
• How do herbaceous species contribute to nutrient cycling?

  They decompose which makes the soil nutrient rich and supports the growth of other plants