Temperate Deciduous Forest PDF

Temperate Deciduous Forest Higher biodiversity than Boreal forests, typically Producers -- primarily plants, with trees typically a focus Consumers - Birds and small mammals are numerous; Larger mammals (grazers and carnivores/scavengers) also prominent Decomposers - fungus and invertebra...

Temperate Deciduous Forest Higher biodiversity than Boreal forests, typically Producers -- primarily plants, with trees typically a focus Consumers - Birds and small mammals are numerous; Larger mammals (grazers and carnivores/scavengers) also prominent Decomposers - fungus and invertebrates like insects, worms, gastropods, crustaceans(!), nematodes, etc. Higher biodiversity than Boreal forests, typically Producers -- primarily plants, with trees typically a focus Consumers - Birds and small mammals are numerous; Larger mammals (grazers and carnivores/scavengers) also prominent Decomposers - fungus and invertebrates like insects, worms, gastropods, crustaceans(!), nematodes, etc. Birds \~10,000 species of birds bipedal vertebrates that distinguish themselves from relatives due to their feathers All birds have bills -- variation in form and function but they are always toothless and covered with a horny sheath Brain size is typically larger (6-11x) compared to similar sized reptiles, and they display complex behavioural tactics. 1\. Forelimbs are wings, feathers - lift and propulsion 2\. Efficient respiratory system - meet high oxygen 3\. Light, "hollow" bones - provide a light but rigid airframe Often bills are specialized for diet Flight has allowed birds to reach new resources (driven diversification) Birds Neoaves -- Basically includes all modern birds except for the Galloansera and Paleoognathae Telluraves (land birds) -- includes\... Perching birds -- passeriformes Many birds of prey, including eagles, vultures and hawks -- many orders Owls -- Strigiformes and others\... Aquaterraves (waterbirds, and others) Birds Neoaves -- Basically includes all modern birds except for the Galloansera and Paleoognathae Telluraves (land birds) -- includes\... Perching birds -- passeriformes Many birds of prey, including eagles, vultures and hawks -- many orders Owls -- Strigiformes and others\... Aquaterraves (waterbirds, and others) Birds Palaeognathae - comprise the large, flightless living ratites (emu, ostrich, cassowary and rhea) and their smaller, flying cousins; tinamou Birds -- top consumers In forests, many birds are raptors (or birds of prey) -- hawks, eagles, falcons, owls Typically top predators, or mix of carnivory and scavenger diet Feed on smaller animals or varying types Generally have very good eyesight, talons for manipulating prey, curved beaks Often males and females appear distinct -- sexual dimorphism Generally build stick nests, have 1 clutch per season, 1-6 eggs (species specific) Many species migrate, some reside all year -- Red-tailed hawk & many owls Birds -- lower consumers; Passeri Many songbirds (Passeri) and woodpeckers (Picidae) Songbirds (\~3,000 species) use their song to communicate and claim territory & songs are often complex Often quite obvious sexual dimorphism females often have more muted colours, largely to avoid being seen by predators Many in Ontario are migratory (junco, many warblers, thrush, flycatchers, etc.), but also numerous reside throughout the year (some nuthatch, sparrows, blue jays, cardinals, cardinals, cedar waxwings) Birds -- lower consumers; Passeri Diet varies, often by species and may feed on a variety of available food Food include insects (adults and larvae), other small invertebrates (snails, worms), fruits/nuts and seeds from gymnosperms and angiosperms Types of nests vary along with clutch size Songbirds are prey for numerous species, both as adults and eggs & baby birds birds of prey, coyotes, foxes, bears even chipmunks, deer and other herbivores may eat eggs or baby birds Cats Snakes (Squamata; Serpentes) vertebrates having secondarily lost limbs vertebrae themselves are shorter and wider to allow undulating movement highly kinetic skull -- loosely jointed lower jaw sensitive to vibrations and olfaction (taste) but generally poor eyesight and hearing most lay shelled eggs (ovoparous) -- some have eggs developing internally and lay live young (ovoviviparous) -- some have a primitive placenta for live birth (viviparous) ectotherms -- commonly spotted warming bodies on rocks predators of invertebrates, amphibians, earthworms, fish, small mammals and birds prey for carnivorous birds and mammals " Amniotes Amniotes arose from amphibian-like tetrapods Produce shelled eggs that prevent loss of moisture Features of the amniotic egg include: an outer membrane, sometimes covered by a leathery or mineralized shell, a protective albumen, an amniotic membrane that encloses the embryo within a fluid-filled cavity, chorion that mediate gas exchange and management of waste products, a yolk or placenta that provides nutrition. Amniotic eggs must be fertilized internally before the eggshell is produced by the female because sperm cannot penetrate the shell. Adaptations of Amniotes Some other adaptations: No gills in larvae → fully terrestrial life cycle Internal fertilization Thicker, water-proof skin → no capability for respiration Lungs are primary site of respiration Mammals (mammalia) -- just a brief note\... more detail in the urban landscape Hair and mammary glands are key characteristics Mammary glands produce milk for nourishing young Fertilization occurs internally, and mammals care for their young until they can live independently Mammals are "warm-blooded" → regulate blood temperature internally Sweat glands are common and cool the body → aquatic mammals and those with thick fur have lost, or have reduced sweat glands Mammals (mammalia) -- just a brief note\... more detail in the urban landscape Hair follicle is an epidermal, but lies in dermis of skin A hair grows continuously by rapid proliferation of cells in the follicle Different mammals have unique hair structure Brittle hairs of deer Hairs of rabbits and others are scaled to interlock when pressed together Primary component is protein keratin -- also prevalent in nails, hooves, horns, antlers, reptile scales, bird feathers! Mammals -- Hair Patterns including spots, stripes, salt-and- pepper, etc. are disruptive and conceal the animal Vibrissae or "whiskers" are sensory hairs -- Provide a tactile sense for nocturnal mammals Porcupine quills are barbed and break off easily Horns and Antlers True Horns in ruminants such as sheep and cattle Hollow sheaths of keratinized epidermis Surround a core of bone rising from skull Normally not shed and are usually not branched, but may be curved Grow continuously and occur in both sexes -- May be longer in males Horns and Antlers Antlers Occur in the deer family (Cervidae) Composed of solid bone when mature Develop annual in spring, with highly vascular soft skin or "velvet" Except for caribou, only males produce antlers When growth is complete just before breeding season -- Blood vessels constrict in velvet -- Velvet removed by rubbing antlers against trees Porcupines and chipmunks are forest rodents (Rodentia) Chipmunks feed and hoard seeds & fungi and are critical in inadvertently promoting seedlings in the forest Chipmunks can also be opportunistic predators Porcupines are arboreal rodents, feeding on twigs, stems, berries, leaves and insects Deer (Cervidae) are ruminant herbivores Very adaptable generalists -- able to thrive in forests, prairie, savanna, etc., including urban Feed on leaves, nuts and fruits, stems, shoots and grasses Poison ivy and mushrooms are able to be eaten because of ruminant stomach Forest Mammals A number of primary and secondary consumers Most reside through the winter and respond to cold temperatures by\... -- Hibernating -- voluntary lowering of body temperature and metabolic rate for months/weeks when food becomes increasingly scarce; usually animals wakes every few weeks to eat, drink -- Torpor -- "temporary hibernation" lasting hours; low food and especially cold temperatures brings this on More closely related to animals than to plants Produce chitin in cell walls Heterotrophic -- feeding on other organisms; NOT photosynthetic Reproduce sexually and asexually Incredibly diverse eukaryotes \~150,000 species described May be \>2.2 million species \~10 phyla Ecological Roles of Fungi Play a critical role in cycling carbon with ability to locate and break down the complex molecules / bulky tissue in plant and animal bodies. Fungi have many different relationships with other organisms, a few of which are the following: The association of fungi with plant roots can increase plant growth. Some fungi are agricultural pests. Fungi, such as yeast, are used to ferment plant carbohydrates for the production of alcohol. Ecological Roles of Fungi Chapter 32 Active Lecture Slide 3 Play a critical role in cycling carbon with ability to locate and break down the complex molecules / bulky tissue in plant and animal bodies. Enzymes are released by fungus tissues, digest materials outside the fungus Fungi absorb simple organic molecules directly through their cell walls, transport throughout the hyphal network Fungal Hyphae Hyphae are characterized by rapid growth, and the network of hyphae form the mycelium in a fungus. Hyphae of an "individual fungi" can become extremely large & diffuse. Fungal Spore Production A shortage of resources often cues spore production in fungi. Fungi produce huge numbers of spores, which increases the probability that at least a few spores will land in a favorable environment. Fungal Sexual Reproduction: Fruiting Bodies Fruiting bodies are above-ground reproductive structures produced by many fungi Include mushrooms, brackets, cups, etc. They are formed from densely packed hyphae. The increased elevation helps with dispersal of sexually produced spores. Mycorrhizal Relationships Mycorrhizae are symbiotic relationships between fungi and plants. The fungi provide nutrients from the soil and receive sugars from the plant. Soil and leaf litter is full of interesting creatures We will explore some of these in Urban Landscapes BIOLOGY