Importance of Trees and Forests and Threats
Name an abiotic stress on a forest
Potential answers:
Physical non living stressors, drought, extreme heat and cold, pollution
Name a part of the tree that would distinguish it from other plants
Potential answers:
Outer bark, Inner bark, Phloem, Cambium, Sapwood, Heartwood, Pith
Deer, trees and squirrels are examples of
biotic factors
Consumers
Organism that feeds on other organisms in an ecosystem. Herbivores, carnivores and omnivores are consumers.
Canopy (What is it and what animal would be found here?)
The uppermost layer of the forest. Various types of birds
Explain reforestation and why it helps forests against threats
Reforestation: the building of a new forest by planting or reseeding.
Helps the forest regrow after being harmed by potential threats.
List the leaf margins
coarse toothed, scalloped/wavy
primary consumers eat
producers
Narrow tree rings mean...
little growth
Carnivore
A meat eating organism
List and describe 3 things that are causing forest ecosystems to suffer.
Potential answers:
-Pollution
-Harvesting
-Forest fires
-Overuse by humans
-Pests (mountain pine beetle, spruce beetle etc)
List 2 characteristics of coniferous trees
- have needle-shaped leaves
- needles are green all year long
- are cone-bearing trees
- more variety in the shape of coniferous trees ranging from bushes and shrubs to very large trees
A bear is an example of a
omnivore
Stomata
Little holes on the underside of leaves which allow gases to pass
Producers
Any organism which uses energy from the sun to produce its own food.
3 reasons why trees and forests are important to humans
Answers will vary. Examples include:
-Take in carbon dioxide and make oxygen
-Filter harmful pollutants
-Raw materials for our construction industry
-Provide areas for recreation
-Provide natural ingredients (medicine)
List 2 characteristics of deciduous trees
- shed their leaves before the cold or dry season
- the leaves often turn orange, red or yellow
- new leaves appear in spring
- many different varieties and sizes
Coyotes, willows, squirrels, and snowshoe hares are all part of a particular forest ecosystem. List the food chain.
Sun → Willow → Snowshoe hare → Coyote
Chlorophyll
Green substance in the leaves of plants that traps light energy used in photosythesis
Decomposer
An organism which breaks down material and litter.
2 reasons that were not already listed, reasons why trees and forests are important to humans
Answers will vary. Examples include:
-Take in carbon dioxide and make oxygen
-Filter harmful pollutants
-Raw materials for our construction industry
-Provide areas for recreation
-Provide natural ingredients (medicine)
List 2 reasons a tree may have a scar, and describe what this scar may look like.
-Fire: Large scar with lines looping inwards
-Insects: Smaller vertical scar
What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?
A food chain outlines who eats whom. A food web is all of the food chains in an ecosystem.
2 non living components of an ecosystem
Examples: sunlight, water, air, rocks
Photosynthesis
Process by which plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen