spring comes the trees mustdraw to there reserve food to make new leaves. This takes time for the trees because the weatherin spring is still cool. But by the early summer trees can use some of the food to create a buildup of energy reserves and make seeds. In the autumn, the leaves fall. When the snow comes,only a little of it weighs down the bare branches. Animals found in this biome include deer, raccoons, squirrels, foxes, wood mice, andchipmunks. Insects and birds are numerous. However, when the chill of winter weather comesbirds migrate south and some small animals hibernate. Some larger animals include cougars andbears. They are less dominate than ever thanks to humans who hunt them.The soils are fertile, due to plenty of leaf litter. There is extensive plant diversity in thisbiome, dominated by broadleaf deciduous hardwood trees such as oak, hickory, maple, ash,beech and more. The forests consist of 3-5 layers, which are relatively open with rich groundflora. There are usually one or two strata of trees, an understory of shrubs, and low growingforbs.Melting snow in spring, and intermittent rain during the summer, provide water forstreams and ponds. Water birds, insects, and fishes are found in this biome. Amphibians such asfrogs and salamanders find homes and so do some lizards and small birds. Decomposers includesoil bacteria and many kinds of fungi....
