Forest Types and Indicator Species Quiz

Red spruce is a key indicator species in boreal forests.

Sphagnum moss, cranberries, sundews, and cottongrass are important indicator species in boreal bogs.

American beech, yellow birch, and sugar maple are prominent trees in northern hardwood forests.

Northern red oak and black oak are important indicator species in oak-hickory forests.

Boreal forests have cold temperatures and a shorter growing season compared to other forest types.

Boreal bogs have saturated soils with low oxygen, low pH, and low nutrients.

Fire is a significant disturbance agent in oak-hickory forests.

Ice and wind are disturbance agents in northern hardwood forests.

Forests found along rivers and streams that experience seasonal flooding.

Trees in floodplain forests have adaptations to tolerate periodic flooding, such as waterlogged soils and low oxygen.

A type of forest characterized by low, wet locations and abundant water-tolerant trees like black gum and skunk cabbage.

A forest dominated by oak species like cherrybark oak, water oak, and willow oak, adapted to warmer temperatures and wetter conditions.

A forest dominated by Atlantic white cedar trees, characterized by acidic, peaty soils and waterlogged conditions.

A forest dominated by baldcypress trees, found in warmer climates.

In forest ecology, 'patch' refers to a distinct area with specific plant communities, while 'matrix' represents a dominant and widespread community.

Specific species that are found predominantly in certain habitats and can indicate the presence of particular environmental conditions.

A forest type found in the Appalachian Mountains, characterized by moderate temperatures and precipitation, with a diverse array of trees like white basswood, yellow buckeye, magnolias, and abundant yellow-poplar.

A forest type found in the southeastern United States, dominated by pines like loblolly and shortleaf pine, along with oaks like southern red oak and post oak. It is characterized by warmer temperatures, wetter conditions, and sandy soils.

A forest type found in the northeastern United States, characterized by drier conditions, shallower soils, and lower pH. It is dominated by pines like pitch pine and Virginia pine, along with oaks like scarlet oak, black oak, and post oak.

A significant disturbance agent in both southern mixed pine-oak and northern pine-oak forests. It helps to maintain the open character of these forests and provides a crucial ecosystem service.

A distinct area within a forest with specific plant communities, usually smaller in size compared to the surrounding matrix.

The dominant and widespread plant community in a forest landscape, usually much larger than individual patches.

A forest type found along rivers and streams, characterized by the presence of eastern cottonwood as a key indicator species.