Question

Trees in _________shed their leaves during winter to survive the harsh winters. The trees in have leaves that are pointed needles to survive the cold.

a. Temperate forests
b. Tropical rainforests
c. Tundra regions
d. Desert environments

Answer 1

Trees in temperate forests shed their leaves during winter, which reduces their winter photosynthesis and net primary productivity compared to tropical rainforests. Temperate forests have nutrient-rich soils from decomposing leaf litter, whereas boreal forests have evergreen coniferous trees adapted to cold temperatures.

Step-by-step explanation:

Trees in temperate forests shed their leaves during winter to survive the harsh winters. The trees in these forests have leaves that are pointed needles to survive the cold. Deciduous trees are the dominant plant in temperate forests. They lose their leaves each fall and remain leafless in the winter, leading to little photosynthesis during the dormant winter period. Each spring, as temperatures increase, new leaves appear. This cycle impacts the net primary productivity of temperate forests, making it less than that of tropical rainforests.

Unlike tropical rainforests, which have a higher diversity of tree species, temperate forests have more open spaces and shorter trees, allowing more sunlight to reach the ground. The soils in temperate forests are rich in inorganic and organic nutrients, thanks to the thick layer of leaf litter that decays and returns nutrients to the soil, which also protects against erosion and provides habitats for various invertebrates.

In contrast, boreal forests, which are characterized by long and cold winters, are dominated by evergreen coniferous trees like pines, spruce, and fir. These trees retain their needle-shaped leaves year-round, which enables them to photosynthesize earlier in the spring than deciduous trees.

Answer 2

Trees in temperate forests shed their leaves during winter as an adaptation to survive the harsh conditions, entering a dormant period with little photosynthesis until spring.

Step-by-step explanation:

Trees in temperate forests shed their leaves during winter to survive the harsh winters. The trees have leaves that are pointed needles to survive the cold. Deciduous trees are the dominant plant in temperate forests, losing their leaves each fall and remaining leafless through winter, thus entering a dormant period with little photosynthesis. When spring arrives, new leaves appear as temperatures increase. In contrast to evergreen conifers which dominate in cold or arid environments and at high altitudes with needle-shaped leaves that allow them to photosynthesize earlier in the spring.