Forest Habitats

28 Pages·2013·3.604 MB·English

by  Arnold Ringstad

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Forest
h a b i t a t s
by Arnold ringstAd
Published by the Child’s World®
1980 Lookout Drive • Mankato, MN 56003-1705
800-599-READ • www.childsworld.com
Acknowledgments
the Child’s World®: Mary Berendes, Publishing Director
Red Line Editorial: Editorial direction
The Design Lab: Design
Amnet: Production
Photographs ©: Brand X Pictures, cover, 1; Shutterstock
Images, back cover, 6–7, 10, 23; Eric Isselee/
Shutterstock Images, back cover; Joyce Vincent/
Shutterstock Images, 5; Leonid Ikan/Shutterstock Images,
8–9; SP Photo/Shutterstock Images, 13; Brian Lasenby/
Shutterstock Images, 14–15; Wesley Aston/Shutterstock
Images, 16; Gerald Marella/Shutterstock Images, 19;
Digital Vision, 21
Copyright © 2014 by The Child’s World®
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be
reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means
without written permission from the publisher.
ISBN 9781623239909
LCCN 2013947268
Printed in the United States of America
Mankato, MN
December, 2013
PA02192
table of Contents
Welcome to the Forest! 4
Where are the World’s Forests? 6
What Do Forests Look Like? 8
Long Winters, short Winters 11
the Plants of the Forests 12
Living in the Undergrowth 14
Living in the Cold Forests 17
Woodpeckers of the Forest 18
threats to the Forest 20
Glossary 22
To Learn More 23
Index 24
Welcome to
the Forest!
Forests are important habitats. habitats are the places where
living things get everything they need. trees make up the biggest
part of forests. trees are not the only
things living in forests. Many other
Ten percent of
plants and animals live on the ground.
Canada is covered
birds fly high above the forest canopy. in forests.
Living things in the forest work
together. trees give shade and food to
animals. animals eat harmful insects to save trees. tiny creatures
live on the forest floor. they become food for larger creatures.
Earth’s forests are in danger. One danger is logging. Cutting
down too many trees can affect all life in the forest. Other dangers
include fires and pollution. it is important for humans to take care
of forests.
Leaves and branches from forest trees create a forest canopy.
4
5
Where are the
World’s Forests?
Forests can be found all across the
world. they cover about one third of
the land on Earth. the United states
Boreal
and Canada have many large forests.
forests
Europe, asia, south america, and Canada
australia also have forests. there are Coniferous
forests Deciduous
three different kinds of forests. forests
United States
Deciduous forests are in the
eastern United states and Canada.
Western Europe also has this type of
forest. Deciduous forests are far from
Equator
the equator.
Coniferous forests are in the Coniferous
forests
northwestern United states. they are
also in southwestern south america
and in asia in Japan. these forests
Forests are found across the world on every
continent.
6
are farther from the equator than deciduous forests. Coniferous
forests can be found near coasts or mountains.
Boreal forests can be found in northern areas. they are
farthest from the equator. these forests are in Canada, and in
Northern Europe in Denmark, Norway, sweden, and Finland.
Boreal
forests
Europe
Deciduous
forests
Coniferous
forests
Asia
Africa
Equator
South America
Australia
Antarctica
7
What Do Forests
Look Like?
the three types of forests each look
different. the weather changes in each
area. Different types of trees also
grow there.
Deciduous forests have trees
that lose their leaves during winter.
their soil is good for growing. the soil
is a good mixture of dirt to plant in.
Many kinds of plants grow beneath the
tall trees.
trees in coniferous forests do
not lose their leaves in winter. they
have special leaves called needles.
the trees keep their needles year-round.
these forests also have good soil for
growing.
Coniferous trees keep their needles
year-round.
8