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Unique Plants in the Deciduous Forest Biome

A biome is a major biotic community of ecosystems characterized by distinctive soil conditions and climate where the flora and fauna have adapted to the differences in their environmental conditions. Deciduous forest biomes are found throughout the world. They are located in eastern North America and the middle of Europe. These forests are also found in southwest Russia, China and Japan. South America deciduous forest biomes are in Chile and Paraguay. They are also seen in Australia and New Zealand.

Deciduous forests are also called temperate forests and are in locations where there are four seasons. The plants that inhabit these biomes are unique in that they must be able to adapt to the fluctuating conditions of the seasons and other variables in their habitat. There are five zones in deciduous forests: the tree stratum, the small tree and sapling, the shrub, the herb, and the ground zones.

The Tree Stratum Zone
- The first zone in deciduous forests is the tree stratum zone, which consists of trees that grow between 60 and 100 feet tall, such as the oak, chestnut, hickory, maple and beech. Other trees that are often present are walnut, basswood, elm, sweet gum and linden. Because of the tree canopy, it is much cooler in a forest than outside of it on a hot day. Deciduous trees are able to moderate the effect of rain, wind and the warmth of the sun for themselves and for us, and provide a home for other forest plants and animals.
The Small Tree and Sapling Zone
- The second zone is the small tree and sapling zone, where there are short young trees. Even small deciduous trees are uniquely able to adapt to the tremendous variance from hot, humid summer to winter snow and freezing temperatures. They have leaves that are able to change with the seasons. Chlorophyll in their leaves makes food in the spring and summer to prepare for the autumn and winter. In autumn, the leaves change color and fall off, and the trees are able to survive despite lying dormant in winter. Losing the leaves protects the tree from the extra weight that would befall it with autumn's heavy rains and winter's high winds, with ice and snow.
The Shrub Zone
- The third zone is the shrub zone, which consists of shrubs such as huckleberries, rhododendrons, mountain laurel and azaleas. A mature forest ordinarily has a well-developed and diversified shrub zone. The soil is very fertile in this biome, allowing for extensive diversification of the flora. The shrubs adapt to the environment and build extensive, strong roots that help prevent erosion of the area.
The Herb Zone
- The fourth zone is the herb zone and contains flowers, such as ladies slipper, jack-in-the-pulpit and trillium, plus ferns, herbals, and other short, ground-level plants. Besides the beauty offered by this area of the biome, there are hidden treasures of herbs that have a great potential for medicinal value. This unique segment of the deciduous forest offers great present and future benefits for mankind.
The Ground Zone
- The fifth and last zone is the ground zone, which contains lichens, mosses and clubmosses. Soils in a deciduous forest biome are rich in nutrients, with a humus layer where organic material accumulates, shielded from harsh conditions, under the protection of the trees.. This richness of the soil promotes the ability for many species of lichens and mosses to live on the forest floor. The shade of the numerous trees and bushes also create a unique atmosphere for these species to flourish.

Nature