Unit 3: The Boreal Forest

1
Unit 3 The Boreal Forest

• The smell of wood smoke, the sound of waves
  smashing on the rocks, and the wind whistling
• through the pine trees mean the north woods to
  many Minnesotans. Our north woods is
  characteristic of the northeastern corner of the
  state.

2
The Boreal Forest

• This entire area was
• glaciated.
• 1. all the soil has developed on glacial beds
  and lake beds or rock surfaces
• a. lichen are
• common on rock
• surfaces

3

• a. lichen are common on rock surfaces
• 1. a symbiotic
• combination of
• two organisms, fungus and algae

4

• The fungus attaches to the rock, absorbs water,
  and protects the enclosed algal cells. Patches
  range in size from a few hundredths of an inch to
  many inches and range in color from light gray to
  bright orange to brownish black.

5

• a symbiotic combination
• 2. Pioneer organisms, the first to
• appear.
• Eventually bits of rock and soil collect around
  the lichens and provide an environment for other
  plants.

6

• B. Common species
• 1. Trees. Mostly coniferous Jack Pine,
• Red Pine, Balsam Fir,
• White Pine.
• Deciduous trees Aspen and Birch

JackPine
7
Red Pine
The Boreal Forest Biome
8
The White Pine
9
The Balsam Fir
Range of Balsam Fir in North America
10

• B. Common species
• 1. trees
• 2. succession ecosystem changes that occur over
  long periods of time.
• a. they change in
• response to
• natural and
• human disturbances

11
C. Mammals.

• If asked to identify the most representative
  animals of the northern coniferous forest, most
  people would name beaver,deer,moose and wolves.
  This is indeed the case

12
C. Mammals

• Deer and Beaver are found also in the Deciduous
  Forest.
• Both found more often in early and middle stages
  of succession.

13
C. Mammals

• 2. Moose. Far more restricted in range.
• Found in the Boreal Forest, rarely the Deciduous
  Forest.
• a. Largest Mn mammal
• 1. up to 6ft at shoulders, 1,200 lbs.

14

• a. Largest Mn mammal
• 1. up to 6ft at shoulders, 1,200 lbs.
• 2. can go 20 to 30
• mph
• 3. moose and caribou common during early
  exploration

15
C. Mammals

• Wolves. Probably Minnesotas most famous
  species. Minnesota truly is WOLF RESEARCH capital
  of the world.
• Population May have origionally been
• 4,000 to 8,000.
• 1. bounties began in
• 1849

16
(No Transcript)
17

• Population
• 1. bounties began in
• 1849
• 2. from 1845-1952
• 300 to 400 wolves were
• killed per year in Minn.

18

• Population
• 1965 bounties ended
• 4. 1967 the wolf was declared endangered under
  the first endangered species act.

19

• 3. Wolves
• a. Population
• b. Basic Characteristics
• 1. two main species the Gray Wolf, the Red
  Wolf
• 2. Gray Wolf, Canis Lupus. (minn wolves)
• Red Wolf,Canis Rufus,
• (fd in southern US)

Wolf
Wolf
Timber Wolf
Red Wolf
Red Wolf
20

• 3. Wolves
• a. population
• b. basic characteristics
• 3. size males
• 20-80kg.females
• 18-55kg.

21

• c. Social Structure
• Pack size varies from
• 2-12. Ave 6-7.
• Ranking order is decided by a dominance order.
• Highest pair alpha
• male and female

22

• Other members dont breed
• subordinates,
• juveniles,
• outcasts

23

• Ranking order is established when wolves are
  still pups. It begins with play and ends in
  setting roles. It usually begins at three weeks
  of age.

24
C. Mammals

• 4. Black Bear
• black, brown, cinnamon
• A. Size adults 125-500 lbs.
• cubs ½ lb. at birth
• 4-8 lbs. when they
• emerge from
• hibernation
• 35 mph

25

• 4. Black Bear
• C. Diet. Omnivores,
• gain weight in fall, need fat for winter
• D. Hibernation
• 1. triggered by shorter days, less food, cold
  temp.
• 2. bear will fast for a few days

26

• 4. Black Bear
• B. Senses
• 1. good near
• vision
• 2. best sense
• smell, 100X more
• nasal mucosa
• than humans

27

• D. Hibernation
• 2. bear will fast for a few days
• 3. select a den site
• (fallen trees)
• 4. metabolism slows down
• 5. calories from fat,
• water from fat

28

• 6. Digestive system is emptied and produces no
  feces.
• Nitrogen urea us reprocessed in the kidney and
  liver into amino acids to
• make new proteins.

29

• E. Reproduction
• 1. breeds late May early June
• 2. females breed every 2yrs.
• 3. breeding age 2-8 yrs. Lifespan 20yrs.
• Gestation 7 months.

30

• 4. Delayed implantation.
• Cubs born Dec. Jan.

31
THE BOREAL FOREST
32
C. Succession

• Early succession
• aspen, birch, and maple.

Aspen
Birch
33

• 2. Jack pine and black spruce are also early
• in succession

Jack Pine
Black Spruce
34

• 3. Balsam fir, birch, and white spruce dominate
  the the mature coniferous forest

Balsam Fir
Birch
White spruce
35
D. Birds of Prey

• The top raptors are
• Eagles and Osprey.

36
D. Birds of Prey

• The top raptors are
• Eagles and Osprey.

37

• Osprey famous
• feet-first dive

38

• The Boreal Forest
• TEST

39

• Identify this organism. It is commonly found on
• rocks and trees throughout the Boreal
• Forest.

40

• The organism from question 1 is actually
• a symbiotic organism that is made of two
  separate organisms.
• What two organisms
• are found in this stuff?

41
Trees of the Boreal Forest

• Identify this common
• Boreal Forest tree.
• It grows very tall, and quickly regenerates
  after fire. A famous study of the fire history
  of the Boundary Waters was done using this tree
  for reference.

Cones that open in a fire. Two short needles.
Black bark.
42
Trees of the Boreal Forest

• Identify this tree.
• 5 needles per bundle can grow very tall. Black
  bark.
• The favorite nesting
• site for Bald Eagles.

43
Trees of the Boreal Forest

• 5. Identify this tree. It is a member of the
  climax
• Boreal Forest.
• Also found on the ELC because it was planted by
  students three years ago.
• Single, very flat needles.

44
Trees of the Boreal Forest

• 6. Identify this tree.
• Two long needles per bundle. Reddish
• bark. Found on the
• ELC.

45
Mammals of the Boreal Forest

• Identify this mammal.
• Note the large canine teeth, the teeth of a
  carnivore.
• Actually this animal is Minnesotas largest
  omnivore

46
Mammals of the Boreal Forest

• 8. During hibernation
• how does a Black Bear get the calories it needs
  to survive?

47
Mammals of the Boreal Forest

• Approximately how many wolves do we currently
  have in the
• state of Minnesota?

48
Birds of the Boreal Forest

• What is this common bird of prey?
• Hint it is well known for its feet-first
  dive into water.

49

• D. Hibernation
• triggered by shorter days,
• less food, cold temp.
• 2. bear will fast for a few days

50
(No Transcript)
51

• Boreal Forest Power Point
• Choose an animal found in the Boreal Forest and
  make a power point presentation.
• Presentation should include
• Range_____________
• Minn. Population_________________
• Natural History. Diet, reproduction, behaviors,
  etc_______________
• Habitat needs____________________
• Relationship to people_________________

52

• Boreal Forest Power Point
• Choose an animal found in the Boreal Forest and
  make a power point presentation.
• Presentation should include
• Range_____________
• Minn. Population_________________
• Natural History. Diet, reproduction, behaviors,
  etc_______________
• Habitat needs____________________
• Relationship to people_________________

53

• Caribou
• Moles
• Shrews
• Bats Possible animals (a limit of 2 students
  can sign up for the same animal)
• Lynx
• Bobcat
• Mountain Lion
• Wolf
• Beaver
• Moose
• White-tailed Deer
• Fisher
• Pine Marten
• Wolverine
• Otter
• Red Fox
• Gray Fox
• Black Bear
• Mink