First Children Encyclopedia

(Marvins-Underground-K-12) #1

Deciduous trees lose their leaves in winter.


These trees need weather patterns that are


neither too hot nor too cold, and with seasons.


Deciduous forests

If conditions are
right, mosses
will grow on the
north side of a
forest tree.

Why do squirrels have bushy tails?


160


Ecosystems and habitats


Land of plenty
A forest floor is littered with dead
leaves and wood, and there are often
plenty of nuts and berries – it’s a
perfect hunting ground for squirrels.

Springing to life


A forest appears to sleep


in winter, but in spring


it bursts into life. Buds


open and ferns spread


out to soak up the light.


Layer on layer
Deciduous forests
have two or three
layers: a canopy
(treetops), sometimes
a layer of shrubs,
and then the low-
lying plants such as
mosses, ferns, and
spring flowers.

The grey squirrel will
collect and store acorns
and other seeds.
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