The zone of deciduous forests is located on the territory of Manchuria, the Far East, within the temperate zone of Europe, eastern China, North America. It also affects the southern part of South America and parts of Central Asia.
Broad-leaved forests are most common where there is a moderately warm climate, and the ratio of moisture and heat is optimal. All this provides favorable conditions during the growing season. The leaf plates of the trees growing there are wide, hence the name of these forests. What other features does this natural area have? Broadleaf forests are home to numerous animals, reptiles, birds and insects.
Characteristics
Features of deciduous forests are that two distinct tiers can be distinguished in them. One of them is higher, the other is lower. These forests are shrubby, the available grasses grow in three tiers, the ground cover is represented by lichens and mosses.
Another characteristic feature is the light mode. In such forests, there are twolight maximum. The first is observed in the spring, when the trees are not yet covered with foliage. The second - in the fall, when the foliage thins. In summer, light penetration is minimal. The above mode explains the peculiarity of the grass cover.
The soil of deciduous forests is rich in organo-mineral compounds. They appear as a result of the decomposition of plant litter. Broadleaf forest trees contain ash. Especially a lot of it in the leaves - about five percent. Ash, in turn, is rich in calcium (twenty percent of the total volume). It also contains potassium (about two percent) and silicon (up to three percent).
Broadleaved forest trees
Forests of this type are characterized by the richest variety of tree species. The latter can be counted here about ten. The broad-leaved forests of the taiga, for example, are not so rich in this regard. The reason is that the conditions of the harsh taiga climate are not so conducive to the growth and development of flora. Many tree species that are demanding on soil composition and climate simply will not survive in adverse conditions.
In the southern part of the Tula region there is a famous forest. It gives a great idea of what broadleaf forests can be like. The soil of this area is favorable for the growth of such trees as pedunculate oaks, small-leaved lindens, holly and field maples, ordinary ash trees, elms, elms, wild apple trees and pears. Oaks and ash trees are the tallest, followed by holly maples, elms and lindens. The lowest are field maples,wild pears and apple trees. As a rule, the dominant position is occupied by an oak, and the remaining trees act as satellites.
Let's consider in more detail the above representatives of the dendroflora.
- Oak. It is the main forest former of broad-leaved forests in the European territory. The pedunculate oak is one of the longest growing and largest trees. It is also found in private areas in single plantings. Thanks to the ability of oak to tolerate pruning, beautiful specimens can be formed with spherical, obovate, tent-shaped crown shapes.
- Elm. Smooth and rough species are found in the forests of non-chernozem zones. These large trees make up the dominant layer of coniferous-deciduous and broad-leaved forests. Previously widely used for landscaping, however, this trend has recently decreased due to the spread of such an ailment as Dutch elm disease.
- Common ash. The plant reaches thirty to forty meters in height. This tree is characterized by a fairly straight trunk, light gray bark (darkens over time), a loose openwork crown that lets in a lot of sunlight. Its root system is very branched, powerful, the inflorescences are dense and paniculate. A distinctive feature is the high demands on the composition of the soil. Common ash is one of the main breeds of field-protective breeding. This is a warm and light-loving plant, it does not tolerate spring frosts well. Ash blossoms in May, the process of pollination is carried out with the help of wind. Fruit ripening time - October-November. They fall either in winter or early spring.
- Beech forest. Continuing the enumeration of which trees grow in a broad-leaved forest, one cannot fail to mention him. It reaches forty meters in height and one and a half meters in diameter. The bark of the beech is light gray, the leaves are elliptical. The territories of the greatest distribution are the west of Europe, the Caucasus, Crimea. The main value of the forest beech lies in its fruits. Nutritious nuts ripen from September to October. They are almost thirty percent composed of semi-drying fatty oil, the same amount of nitrogenous substances. Valuable fruits are also rich in starch, sugars, acids (malic and citric), tannins. Interestingly, a poisonous alkaloid called fagin tends to decompose when nuts are roasted. So it becomes absolutely safe for human he alth. A coffee substitute is produced from the fruits; in ground form, they are added to ordinary flour in the preparation of flour products. Beech wood is a beautiful and durable decorative material.
- Maple. Broad-leaved forests located in the European part of Russia, as well as in the Caucasus, are characterized as a favorable environment for the growth of sharp-leaved (ordinary) maples. These trees grow up to twenty meters in height. Their leaves are large, dark green, five-lobed. The color of the bark is grey. The shoots and leaves of this tree are widely used for the treatment of various ailments. These gifts of nature containa large amount of ascorbic acid, alkaloids, tannins. Broths and infusions treat wounds, inflammations. They also produce a choleretic, diuretic, antiseptic and analgesic effect. Adherents of herbal medicine are well aware of which trees in the broadleaf forest bring the greatest benefit. So, maple leaves and shoots are recommended for effective treatment of jaundice, kidney stones, to get rid of nausea and vomiting.
Herbs
Plants of broad-leaved forests are characterized by large and wide leaf blades. For this reason, they are called broad-grass oak forests. Some herbs grow in single specimens, they never form impenetrable thickets. Others, on the contrary, form a kind of carpet covering large spaces. Such herbs are dominant. Among them, common goutweed, hairy sedge and yellow greenfinch are distinguished.
Most of the herbaceous plants found in broadleaf forests are perennials. They live up to several decades. As a rule, their existence is supported by vegetative propagation. They do not reproduce well by seed. A characteristic feature of these plants is long underground and above-ground shoots, rapidly growing in different directions and actively capturing new plots of land.
The above-ground parts of the majority of representatives of oak broad grasses die off in autumn. Only roots and rhizomes located in the soil hibernate. They have special kidneys, of whichnew shoots form in the spring.
Exception to rule
Rare representatives of broad grasses remain green both in winter and in summer. These plants include the following: wild hoof, greenfinch, hairy sedge.
Shrubs
As for these representatives of the flora, it is very difficult to meet them in deciduous forests. They are simply not characteristic of oak forests, which cannot be said about coniferous forests, where shrubs grow everywhere. Blueberries and cranberries are the most widespread.
"Hurry" oak ephemeroids
These plants are of the greatest interest to specialists studying forest flora. Among them are spring chistyak, ranunculus anemone, corydalis of various species and goose onion. These plants are usually small in size, but they develop very quickly. Ephemeroids rush to be born immediately after the snow cover melts. Some particularly frisky sprouts make their way even through the snow. After a week, a maximum of two, their buds are already blooming. After a few more weeks, the fruits and seeds ripen. After that, the plants lie down on the ground, turn yellow, after which the part of them that is above the ground dies off. Moreover, this process occurs at the very beginning of the summer period, when, as it may seem, the conditions for growth and development are as favorable as possible. The secret is simple. Ephemeroids have their own rhythm of life, which differs from the peculiar development schedule of other plants. They bloom luxuriantly only in spring, and summer is the time of wilting for them.
The most favorable period for their development is early spring. At that timeDuring the year, the maximum amount of light is observed in the forest, since shrubs and trees have not yet found their dense green cover. In addition, during this period, the soil is optimally saturated with moisture. As for the high summer temperature, the ephemeroids do not need it at all. All these plants are perennials. They do not die after their above-ground part dries up. Live underground roots are represented by tubers, bulbs or rhizomes. These organs act as repositories of nutrients, mainly starch. That's why stems, leaves and flowers appear so early and grow so fast.
Ephemeroids are widespread plants in broad-leaved oak forests. In total there are about ten species. Their flowers are painted in bright purple, blue, yellow colors. During flowering, ephemeroids form a thick beautiful carpet.
Moss
The broad-leaved forests of Russia are home to various types of mosses. In contrast to the taiga forests, in which these plants form a dense green soil cover, in oak forests, mosses do not cover the soil so widely. The role of mosses in deciduous forests is rather modest. The main reason is the fact that leaf litter of the broadleaf forest has a detrimental effect on these plants.
Fauna
Animals of broad-leaved forests of Russia are ungulates, predators, insectivores, rodents and bats. The greatest diversity is observed in those territories that are not touched by man. So, in broad-leaved forests you can see roe deer, wild boars, fallow deer, spotted and red deer, elks. DetachmentPredators are represented by foxes, wolves, martens, ermines and weasels. The broad-leaved forests, with a rich and varied wildlife, are home to beavers, squirrels, muskrats and nutrias. In addition, these areas are inhabited by mice, rats, moles, hedgehogs, shrews, snakes, lizards and bog turtles.
Birds of deciduous forests - larks, finches, warblers, tits, flycatchers, swallows, starlings. Crows, rooks, black grouse, woodpeckers, crossbills, jackdaws, hazel grouses also live there. Birds of prey are represented by hawks, owls, owls, owls and harriers. The swamps are home to waders, cranes, herons, gulls, ducks and geese.
In the past, broad-leaved forests were inhabited by bison. Now, unfortunately, there are only a few dozen left. These animals are protected by law. They live in Belovezhskaya Pushcha (in the Republic of Belarus), in the Prioksko-Terrasny Reserve (Russian Federation), in some states of Western Europe and in Poland. Several animals were transported to the Caucasus. There they coexist with bison.
The number of red deer has also changed. They have become much smaller due to the barbaric actions of man. Massive deforestation and plowing of fields have become disastrous for these beautiful animals. Deer can reach two and a half meters in length and three hundred and forty kilograms of weight. They tend to live in small herds of up to ten animals. In most cases, the female is dominant. Her offspring lives with her.
Autumn sometimes males gather a kind of harem. Reminiscent of the sound of a trumpet, their roar spreads three to four kilometers around. The most successful deer, having won the fights of their rivals, can gather up to twenty females around them. This is how another type of reindeer herd is formed. At the beginning of the summer season, deer cubs are born. They are born weighing eight to eleven kilograms. Up to six months, they have intensive growth. One-year-old males acquire horns.
Deer eat grass, leaves and shoots of trees, mushrooms, lichens, reeds, bitter wormwood. But the needles are not suitable for them to eat. In the wild, deer live for about fifteen years. In captivity, this figure doubles.
Beavers are another inhabitant of deciduous forests. The most favorable conditions for them are observed in Europe, North America, Asia. The maximum recorded weight of this animal is thirty kilograms, and the body length is one meter. Beavers are distinguished by a massive body and a flattened tail. The webbing between the toes of the hind legs helps to maintain an aquatic lifestyle. Fur color can vary from light brown to black. Lubricating their wool with a special secret, beavers are protected from getting wet. When immersed in water, the auricles of this animal fold and the nostrils close. The economical use of air helps him stay underwater for up to fifteen minutes.
Beavers prefer to settle on the banks of lakes and oxbow lakes, as well as rivers withslow flow. They are attracted by abundant coastal and aquatic vegetation. The dwelling of beavers is a hole or a kind of hut, the entrance to which is located under the water surface. These animals build dams if the water level is unstable. Thanks to these structures, the flow is regulated, which allows it to enter the dwelling from the water. Gnawing branches and even large trees is easy for beavers. So, an aspen of five to seven centimeters in diameter lends itself to these animals in two minutes. Their favorite food is cane. In addition, they are not averse to eating iris, water lily, egg capsule. Beavers live in families. The young go in search of a mate in their third year of life.
Wild pigs are another typical inhabitants of deciduous forests. They have a huge head and a very strong long snout. The most powerful weapons of these animals are sharp trihedral fangs that are bent up and back. The vision of wild boars is not very good, but this is compensated by excellent hearing and a keen sense of smell. Large individuals reach a weight of three hundred kilograms. The body of this animal is protected by dark brown bristles. It is very durable.
Boars are excellent runners and swimmers. These animals are able to swim through a reservoir, the width of which is several kilometers. The basis of their diet is plants, but it can be said that wild boars are omnivores. Their favorite treat is acorns and beech nuts, and they will not refuse frogs, mice, chicks, insects and snakes.
Reptiles
Broad-leaved forests are inhabited by snakes, vipers, copperheads, spindles, green and viviparouslizards. Only vipers are dangerous to humans. Many mistakenly believe that copperheads are also poisonous, but this is not so. The most numerous reptiles of broadleaf forests are snakes.
Relief features
The zone of deciduous forests (and mixed) in the European part of Russia forms a kind of triangle, the base of which is located at the western borders of the country, and the top rests on the Ural Mountains. Since this territory was covered with continental ice more than once during the Quaternary period, its relief is mostly hilly. The most obvious traces of the presence of the Valdai glacier have been preserved in the northwest. There, the zone of broad-leaved and mixed forests is characterized by chaotic heaps of hills, steep ridges, closed lakes and hollows. The southern part of the described territory is represented by secondary moraine plains, which were formed as a result of a decrease in the sloping surface of hilly areas. The relief of mixed and broad-leaved forests is characterized by the presence of sandy plains of different areas. Their origin is water-glacial. They have undulations, sometimes you can find pronounced sand dunes.
Coniferous-deciduous forests of the Russian Plain
This zone is located in the temperate climate zone. The climate there is relatively mild and humid. The soil of these territories is soddy-podzolic. The close location of the Atlantic Ocean determined the features of the relief. The river network in coniferous-deciduous forests is well developed. Reservoirs are largearea.
The activity of the waterlogging process is determined by the proximity of groundwater and a humid climate. The dominant plants in the grass cover have broad leaf blades.
Conclusion
Broad-leaved forests in Europe are classified as endangered ecosystems. But two or three centuries ago they were one of the most diverse on the planet and were located in most of Europe. So, in the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, they occupied an area equal to several million hectares. Today, there are no more than one hundred thousand hectares.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, only fragments of the vast broad-leaved belt in the past remained unscathed. At the dawn of this century, attempts were made to grow oaks in the deserted territories. However, this turned out to be a rather complicated matter: the death of young oak groves was caused by constant droughts. At that time, studies were carried out, which were led by the famous Russian geographer Dokuchaev. As a result, it was found that failures in the cultivation of new trees are associated with large-scale deforestation, as this forever changed the hydrological regime and climate of the area.
Today, in areas previously occupied by broad-leaved forests, secondary forests grow, as well as artificial plantations. They are dominated by coniferous trees. Unfortunately, as experts note, the dynamics and structure of natural oak forests cannot be restored.
