Geographical position natural forest zones
Broad-leaved forests are common in areas characterized by an optimal ratio of humidity and heat:
- temperate zone of Europe,
- Far East,
- Menzhouli,
- Eastern regions of China,
- Japan,
- North America.
On South South America and in Central Asia There are small areas of deciduous forests.
In Russia broadleaf forests occupy a territory shaped like a triangle, the apex of which rests on Ural Mountains, and the base is at western border countries. IN quaternary period this area has been covered several times continental ice, so it has mostly hilly terrain. Clear traces of the Valdai glacier can be found in the north-west of the country, where there is a zone of mixed and deciduous forests characterized by a disorderly accumulation of steep ridges, hills, basins and closed lakes. In the south of the territory there are secondary moraine plains, formed as a result of a decrease in the sloping surface of hilly areas.
IN Western Siberia The taiga is separated from the forest-steppe by a narrow strip of aspen and birch forests.
Note 1
In the relief of broad-leaved and mixed forests meet different sizes sandy plains of water-glacial origin. They are undulating and you can find sand dunes.
Climatic conditions and soils of broadleaf forests
The main condition for the development of a broad-leaved forest ecosystem is the complex interaction of climate, water, topography and soil characteristics. The climate is moderately warm with mild winters and long warm summers.
The average annual precipitation exceeds the level of evaporation, which reduces the degree of soil swamping.
Note 2
Characteristic feature is the light regime: the first light maximum is observed in the spring, when the trees are not yet covered with leaves; the second light maximum appears in autumn, with the period of leaf fall.
Trees are protected from excessive winter evaporation by: thick bark of branches and trunks, the presence of dense, resinous, scaly buds, and leaves that fall in autumn.
Organic plant residues form humus and favor the formation of various organo-mineral compounds, the basis of which is calcium, silicon, potassium and ash. They contain phosphorus, aluminum, magnesium, iron, manganese, sodium and chlorine in smaller quantities.
The composition of the soil is dealt a strong blow by a sustained snow cover during snow melting.
The following soil types are found in deciduous forests:
- soddy-podgolden,
- brown,
- gray,
- varieties of black soil.
Species composition of broad-leaved forests
The main tree species of broad-leaved forests include: elm, oak, maple, linden, beech, ash, hornbeam, wild pear and apple trees. Oaks and ash trees are the most tall trees, just below - linden, elm, maple, the lowest - wild pear and apple trees, field maples.
The most common representatives of dendroflora:
- Oak. One of the largest and longest-growing trees. As a rule, they are most numerous among other trees.
- Elm. In the forests of non-chernozem zones there are rough and smooth species. Large trees represent the main tier of broad-leaved and coniferous-deciduous forests.
- Common ash. tall plant(30-40 m in height) with a straight trunk, light gray bark and openwork, loose crown. Heat- and light-loving plant. Very picky about soil composition. This is the main plant for field protection cultivation.
- Forest beech. A tree with light gray bark and elliptical leaves, can reach up to 40 m in height and 1.5 m in diameter. Most common in the Caucasus, in Western Europe and in Crimea.
- Maple. Grows up to 20 m in height. A tree with large, five-lobed, dark green leaves. Most often found in the forests of the European part of Russia and the Caucasus.
Most forests are multi-tiered systems: herbaceous plants, shrubby undergrowth, high tree layer.
The ground layer is formed by mosses and lichens.
The grasses of broad-leaved forests are characterized by wide and large leaf blades, which is why they received the name “broad-grass oak forests.” Often grasses cover large areas like a carpet. Among them are: hairy sedge, common sedge, and yellow green grass.
Most herbs are perennials that can live up to several decades. They reproduce mainly vegetatively, have long underground and above-ground shoots that grow intensively in all directions.
There are forests that lack herbaceous cover and undergrowth due to the presence of dense and high tree crowns. The soil in them is covered with a dense layer of old leaves.
IN autumn period the aboveground part of most broad grasses dies off. Only rhizomes and roots in the soil overwinter.
Common shrubs include lingonberries and blueberries.
Oak forest ephemeroids include: buttercup anemone, spring chistya, goose onion, various types corydalis. These are small but quickly growing plants that appear immediately after the snow melts. They develop most intensively in spring; in summer, the above-ground part dies off.
Note 3
Ephemeroids are perennial plants, their underground roots are represented by rhizomes, bulbs, and tubers.
Fauna of deciduous forests
The main representatives of broad-leaved forests are predators, ungulates, rodents, insectivores and bats.
Most striking species diversity areas untouched human activity. In broad-leaved forests, wild boars, roe deer, fallow deer, elk, deer, wolves, foxes, stoats, martens, weasels, squirrels, beavers, nutrias and muskrats are common. There are many small animals: rats, mice, hedgehogs, moles, snakes, shrews, marsh turtles and lizards.
In the recent past, bison lived in deciduous forests. Today there are only a few dozen of them left. They can be found in Belarus in Belovezhskaya Pushcha, in Russia in the Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve, in Poland and in some countries of Western Europe.
Among the birds, the most common are finches, larks, tits, warblers, swallows, flycatchers, starlings, rooks, crows, woodpeckers, black grouse, hazel grouse, crossbills, and jackdaws. Birds of prey of deciduous forests: owls, hawks, eagle owls, owls, harriers. The marshy areas are home to cranes, waders, gulls, herons, geese and ducks.
The deciduous forest zone is located in Manchuria, Far East, within the temperate zone of Europe, eastern China, North America. It also affects southern part South America and some parts of Central Asia.
Broadleaf forests are most common where the climate is temperate. warm climate, and the ratio of moisture and heat is optimal. All this provides favorable conditions during the growing season. The leaf blades of the trees growing there are wide, hence the name of these forests. What other features does this natural area? Broadleaf forests are home to numerous animals, reptiles, birds and insects.
Character traits
The peculiarity of broad-leaved forests is that they can be divided into two distinct tiers. One of them is higher, the other is lower. These forests are shrubby, the existing grasses grow in three tiers, and the ground cover is represented by lichens and mosses. One more characteristic feature is the light mode. In such forests, two light maxima are distinguished. The first is observed in the spring, when the trees are not yet covered with leaves. The second is in the fall, when the foliage thins. In summer, light penetration is minimal. The above-described regime explains the peculiarity of the grass cover.
The soil of deciduous forests is rich in organo-mineral compounds. They appear as a result of the decomposition of plant litter. Trees in broadleaf forests contain ash. There is especially a lot of it in the leaves - about five percent. Ash, in turn, is rich in calcium (twenty percent of the total volume). It also contains potassium (about two percent) and silicon (up to three percent).
Climate
A moderately warm climate is characterized by warm, long summers and mild winters. The annual amount of precipitation, evenly distributed throughout the year, is slightly higher than evaporation, which significantly reduces the level of soil swamping.
Trees of broadleaf forests
Forests of this type are characterized richest variety tree species. The latter can be counted here about ten. Broad-leaved forests of the taiga, for example, are not so rich in this regard. The reason is that the conditions of the harsh taiga climate are not so conducive to the growth and development of flora. Many tree species that are demanding on soil composition and climate simply will not survive in unfavorable conditions.
In the southern part of the Tula region there is a famous forest area. It gives a great idea of what broadleaf forests can be like. The soil of this area is favorable for the growth of trees such as pedunculate oaks, small-leaved lindens, Norway and field maples, common ash trees, elms, elms, wild apple and pear trees. Oaks and ash trees are the tallest, followed by Norway maples, elms and lindens. The lowest are field maples, wild pears and apple trees. As a rule, the dominant position is occupied by oak, and the remaining trees act as satellites.
Let us consider in more detail the above representatives of dendroflora.
Oak. This is the main forest formation of broad-leaved forests in European territory. English oak is one of the longest-growing and largest trees. It is also found in private areas in single plantings. Thanks to the ability of oak to tolerate pruning perfectly, it is possible to form beautiful tapeworms with spherical, obovate, tent-shaped crown shapes.
Elm. Smooth and rough species are found in forests of non-chernozem zones. These large trees constitute the dominant tier of coniferous-deciduous and broad-leaved forests. Previously, they were widely used for landscaping, but in Lately This trend has declined due to the spread of diseases such as Dutch elm disease.
Common ash. The plant reaches thirty to forty meters in height. This tree is characterized by a fairly straight trunk, light gray bark (darkens over time), and a loose openwork crown that lets in a lot of sunlight. Its root system is very branched and powerful, the inflorescences are dense and paniculate. Distinctive feature– high demands on soil composition. Common ash is one of the main species for field protection. This is a warm and light-loving plant; it does not tolerate spring frosts well. Ash blossoms in May and the pollination process is carried out by the wind. Fruit ripening time is October-November. They fall either in winter or early spring.
Forest beech. Continuing the enumeration of what trees grow in a broad-leaved forest, one cannot fail to mention it. It reaches forty meters in height and one and a half meters in diameter. The beech bark is light gray, the leaves are elliptical. The territories of greatest distribution are Western Europe, the Caucasus, and Crimea. The main value of forest beech lies in its fruits. The nutritious nuts ripen between September and October. They consist of almost thirty percent of semi-drying fatty oil, and the same amount of nitrogenous substances. Valuable fruits are also rich in starch, sugars, acids (malic and citric), and tannins. Interestingly, a poisonous alkaloid called fagin tends to decompose when nuts are fried. So it becomes absolutely safe for human health. A coffee substitute is produced from the fruits; when ground, they are added to regular flour during cooking. flour products. Beech wood is a beautiful and durable decorative material.
Maple. Broad-leaved forests located in the European part of Russia, as well as in the Caucasus, are characterized as a favorable environment for the growth of Norway maples. These trees grow up to twenty meters in height. Their leaves are large, dark green, and five-lobed. The color of the bark is gray. The shoots and leaves of this tree are widely used to treat various ailments. These gifts of nature contain large amounts of ascorbic acid, alkaloids, and tannins. Decoctions and infusions are used to treat wounds and inflammation. They also produce choleretic, diuretic, antiseptic and analgesic effects. Adherents of herbal medicine know very well which trees in the broad-leaved forest bring greatest benefit. Thus, maple leaves and shoots are recommended for effective treatment jaundice, kidney stones, to get rid of nausea and vomiting.
Animals
Mammals
Mammals of the broad-leaved forests of Western and of Eastern Europe: wild boar, deer ( Noble deer; in the forest zone outside Europe there are such subspecies as deer, wapiti, wapiti), elk, roe deer, bison, forest squirrel, chipmunk, beaver, bank vole, yellow-necked mouse, dormouse (shelf, forest dormouse, garden and hazel), white hare, brown hare, common hedgehog, forest cat, lynx, fox, wolf, Brown bear, badger, ermine, pine marten, weasel, European mink. Large animals survived only in isolated areas that were not destroyed economic activity humans (for example, in the Carpathian Mountains).
The fauna of monsoon broad-leaved forests in the Far East (Amur-Ussuri, Chinese, Korean) is especially rich, since species from the south penetrate there. Typical mammals include the Ussuri mole, Manchurian hare, sika deer, goral, Ussuri black bear (Himalayan or white-breasted bear), harza, raccoon dog, Amur tiger, amur leopard, Far Eastern forest cat.
An unusual animal of the broad-leaved forests of America is the skunk. Two wide white stripes run along the skunk's black coat from its head to its large fluffy tail. Another forest dweller typical of America is the raccoon, or striped raccoon.
Birds
Goshawk, oriole, nuthatch, siskin, hazel grouse, black grouse, wood grouse, fieldfare, nightingale, tit, bullfinch, larks, common crane, chaffinch, cuckoo, grosbeak, great spotted, green and common woodpeckers, honey buzzard, buzzard , owls, eagle owls, pigeons, storks, crows, jackdaws, magpies, rooks, geese, ducks, etc.; in Asia: grubeater, white-eye, blue magpie, broadmouth, pheasant, mandarin duck.
Reptiles and amphibians
Reptiles: snake, viper, aesculapian snake, harmless copperhead snake (wrongly considered poisonous), legless lizard spindle, green and viviparous lizard, marsh turtle. If we consider the territory of Russia, we cannot fail to mention the leatherback turtle (Ussuri or Chinese turtle).
Amphibians: tree frog, pond frog, grass and frog frog, green toad, fire-bellied toad, crested newt, spotted salamander.
Fish
Catfish, pike, gudgeon, carp, salmon, etc.
Video
European broadleaf forests are endangered forest ecosystems. Just a few centuries ago they occupied most Europe and were among the richest and most diverse on the planet. In the XVI - XVII centuries. natural oak forests grew over an area of several million hectares, and today, according to accounting data forest fund, there are no more than 100 thousand hectares left. So, over several centuries, the area of these forests has decreased tenfold. Formed by deciduous trees with broad leaf blades, broadleaf forests are common in eastern North America, Europe, northern China, Japan and the Far East. They occupy an area between mixed forests in the north and steppes, Mediterranean or subtropical vegetation in the south.
Broadleaf forests grow in humid to temperate areas. humid climate, which are characterized by a uniform distribution of precipitation (from 400 to 600 mm) throughout the year and relatively high temperatures. average temperature January -8...0 °C, and July +20...+24 °C. Moderately warm and humid climatic conditions also active work soil organisms(bacteria, fungi, invertebrates) contribute to the rapid decomposition of leaves and the accumulation of humus. Under broad-leaved forests, fertile gray forest and brown forest soils, and less commonly chernozems, are formed.
The upper tier of these forests is occupied by oak, beech, hornbeam and linden. Ash, elm, maple, and elm are found in Europe. The undergrowth is formed by shrubs - hazel, warty euonymus, and forest honeysuckle. The dense and tall grass cover of European broad-leaved forests is dominated by pine grass, green grass, hoof grass, lungwort, woodruff, hairy sedge, and spring ephemeroids: corydalis, anemone, snowdrop, scilla, goose onion, etc. North America In this zone, species of oaks grow that are characteristic only of this continent. In deciduous forests Southern Hemisphere Southern beech predominates.
Modern broad-leaved and coniferous-deciduous forests formed five to seven thousand years ago, when the planet warmed and broad-leaved tree species were able to move far to the north. In subsequent millennia, the climate became colder and the area of broad-leaved forests gradually decreased. Since the most fertile soils of the entire forest zone formed under these forests, the forests were intensively cut down, and their place was taken by arable land. In addition, oak, which is a very durable wood, was widely used in construction.
The reign of Peter I became for Russia the time of the creation of a sailing fleet. The “royal idea” demanded large quantity high-quality wood, so the so-called ship groves were strictly protected. Forests that were not included in protected areas were actively cut down by residents of the forest and forest-steppe zones for arable land and meadows. IN mid-19th century V. The era of the sailing fleet ended, ship groves were no longer protected, and forests began to be cleared even more intensively.
By the beginning of the 20th century. Only fragments of the once unified and vast belt of broad-leaved forests have survived. Even then they tried to grow new oaks, but this turned out to be difficult: young oak groves died due to frequent and severe droughts. Research conducted under the guidance of the great Russian geographer V.V. Dokuchaev, showed that these disasters were associated with large-scale deforestation and, as a consequence, changes hydrological regime and climate of the territory.
Nevertheless, even in the 20th century, the remaining oak forests were intensively cut down. Insect pests and cold winters at the end of the century led to the extinction of natural oak forests became inevitable.
Today, in some areas where broad-leaved forests once grew, secondary forests and artificial plantations, dominated by coniferous trees, have spread. Restore the structure and dynamics of natural oak forests not only in Russia, but throughout Europe (where they experienced even stronger anthropogenic influence) is unlikely to succeed.
07.05.2016 15:30
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Broad-leaved forests are found on the Russian Plain, occupying almost the entire territory up to the Urals. The richness of these massifs is determined by the diversity of tree and plant species growing here. Surprisingly, these forests are the most common in most regions of our country due to their adaptability to rapidly changing conditions. weather conditions and temperature conditions.
Only the broad-leaved forests of our country require a special climate for their full development and expansion of forest areas. They grow even in the south of the Far East, throughout the entire climatic zone.
Certain tree species that can grow on the boundaries of different natural zones, the climate of which often changes very frequently, help to differentiate different forest areas from each other. For example, such a species is spruce. It seems to draw the line between mixed and broad-leaved forests.
Another way to distinguish forests from each other is to study what types of trees grow in them. Broadleaf forests are characterized by deciduous tree varieties whose leaves may fall depending on the season and temperature. Leaves also participate in the processes of photosynthesis, recycle carbon dioxide, present in nature in oxygen favorable for life.
Forest-steppes also represent a definite boundary between forests. There are practically no trees growing in these areas, and the soils, due to the presence of special nutritional components, are colored in dark colors and shades.
Features of Russian broad-leaved forests
Often, in the territory of broad-leaved forests there grow trees that belong to deciduous trees. Sometimes other breeds are found. But if they are here in small quantities and do not exceed overall volume deciduous trees, - this forest is not classified as a mixed type.
Here you can find gray forest soil, which provides trees with all the nutrients necessary for their life. Trees take the remaining components from their own leaves during the autumn-winter seasons of the year. When the leaves turn yellow and fall off, the trunk and root system the tree is preparing to overwinter, to “wait out” times unfavorable for its growth.
But if the trunk is protected by bark, then the root system is more vulnerable in this regard. After all, the soil cools down in winter due to the lack sun rays. Then the situation is saved by fallen leaves. They rot and feed the roots and trunk of trees that are in a state of “sleep”.
Natural processes such as leaf rotting are capable of maintaining a certain constant temperature in certain areas of the soil, so the tree:
- completely protected from the cold,
- does not lose its ability to further grow,
- preserves useful substances in order to use them in the spring, when climatic conditions again become favorable for broad-leaved trees.
In the east of the most extensive forest area, the heat supply is much higher than in the nearest mixed forest zone. Therefore, trees fully grow and develop here, much faster.
Rich vegetation of deciduous forests
Since the soils are rich in all the components necessary for the growth of trees and all kinds of plants, the vegetation of these places is quite diverse. After all, the period of its growth and development increases due to temperate climate and low temperatures. However, in the spring you may notice a decrease in humidity in some areas of broadleaf forests. Therefore, if we consider this array from a bird's eye view, we can see that its integrity is slightly compromised and certain places“voids” not filled with trees are visible. As mentioned above, the reasons for this natural phenomenon maybe several.
Recently, broad-leaved forests have significantly reduced the volume of their territories. This happens because technological progress is developing at such a speed that forests simply do not have time to restore their tracts.
The forest needs help
Broadleaf forests really need human help. As paradoxical as it sounds, only it can reduce the destructive impact on nature.
- plant seedlings in places where forest areas are interrupted for some reason,
- ensure the protection of broad-leaved and other types of forests from encroachments by poachers and irresponsible entrepreneurs who mercilessly cut down large areas this natural material,
- create all conditions so that buildings and cities are located at a certain distance from the forest.
All these conditions are not easy to comply with, since many of them are practically not controlled by the state. Industrial enterprises They are emitting too much into our atmosphere. Only forests can help clean the air. That is why their conservation is so important for the future of our planet.
Broad-leaved forests, like other forests, are the lungs of the Earth. Without forests, our planet could not exist in the form in which it functions and develops now.
All that is needed to maintain the ecological health of the planet is to protect forests. This is not so difficult, considering that only in our country do broad-leaved forests grow, the length of which has practically no analogues in the world. Since such wealth grows in one territory, it simply needs to be preserved.
Broadleaf forests and industry
Surprisingly, these massifs are the main raw material in the timber industry. They are a universal material for processing that is capable of restoring its resources.
Even production waste is used in industry. That is, recycling processing of raw materials has already been established in our country. But at the same time, the volume of deforestation is not decreasing. To correct this situation, a complete reorganization of the enterprises involved in this stage of wood processing should be carried out.
Potential of broadleaf forests
Thanks to the fact that the data forest areas there is an active biological cycle of all natural elements, the soil is constantly “working”, renewing its natural potential.
In addition, thanks to such metamorphoses, broad-leaved forests are cleansed of all kinds of pollutants that have settled on the leaves and branches of harmful chemical elements.
Thanks to the vital activity of all microorganisms, plants and animals present in a given area, the composition of calcium in the soil is updated, which is simply necessary for the growth of trees.
Thus, the following accumulate in the ground:
- fertilizers useful for trees,
- minerals that ensure the expansion of forest boundaries,
- humus that supports everything chemical processes and reactions in the soil at a level optimal for tree life.
Sometimes in the broad-leaved forests of our country, in certain climatic zones, you can find black soil. Thanks to it, trees grow much faster, and the flora and fauna of these areas is very rich and diverse.
Animals in such forests live mainly as herbivores. After all, the leaves of some trees are the main “dish” for many ungulates. In deciduous forests you can find deer or roe deer. The wild boar is very adapted for such places, feeding on oak acorns and other fruits that fall during one of the stages of tree growth.
In fact, the fauna of these forests is quite rich, but of the same type due to the climate. During winter periods, some birds fly south due to the lack of food necessary for their livelihoods, and animals hibernate or look for alternative sources of food.
On the Russian Plain there is a certain anthropogenic transformation to which broad-leaved forests have undergone. The oak groves that for several centuries adorned most of the plain up to the Urals have practically disappeared.
Most of the soils on which they grew were cultivated and plowed. Frequent use of useful various mineral fertilizers and other soil nutrients for trees, reduced them natural potential. It will take decades to restore its resources and expand broadleaf forests.
And all that a person had to do was to use the resources already available in nature wisely, not to cut down forests thoughtlessly, as if they were eternal, and such natural resources there is an unlimited number on Earth.
What has already been done cannot be changed; all that remains is to try to correct this trend of reduction of broad-leaved forests in our country. To do this, it is not necessary to plant new trees on plots of land already used for industrial purposes. You can do things differently and preserve the remaining forest areas.
Broad-leaved forests today represent a unique ecosystem capable of self-healing. It is possible to develop natural resources on its territory only if it is organized correctly.
To do this, experts determine which trees can be classified as suitable for cutting down and which cannot be touched due to their age and ability to create new trees.
Next, the trees are marked and the process of felling and harvesting begins. It must be carried out at a certain time of the year so as not to disturb natural processes flowing in the trees. After cutting down, a break is taken and observation takes place. deciduous forest. If this area is gradually restored, then you can begin selective felling on another. Complete deforestation is prohibited due to the fact that young trees are sometimes cut down along with trees suitable for processing. Due to their potential, the areas of broad-leaved forests are expanding.
If you give nature time, the humus layer in the soil will return to its previous level. After all, the growth rate of broad-leaved trees and their further development. Therefore, the protection of forests is now the main issue on which not only the development of the Russian timber industry, but also the health of our planet as a whole depends.
A mixed forest is an area in which deciduous and coniferous trees. If the impurity tree species makes up more than 5% of the total flora, we can already talk about a mixed type of forest.
The mixed forest forms a zone of coniferous-deciduous forests, and this is a whole natural zone characteristic of forests in temperate zone. There are also coniferous-small-leaved forests, which are formed in the taiga as a result of the restoration of previously cut down pines or spruces, which begin to displace different types birch and aspen.
Main characteristics
(Typical mixed forest)
Mixed forests almost always coexist with broad-leaved forests in the south. In the northern hemisphere they also border the taiga.
The following types of mixed forests in the temperate zone are distinguished:
- coniferous-deciduous;
- secondary small-leaved with the addition of coniferous and broad-leaved species;
- mixed, which is a combination of deciduous and evergreen species.
Subtropical mixed fox produces a combination of laurel leaves and coniferous species. Any mixed forest is distinguished by a pronounced layering, as well as the presence of areas without forest: the so-called opoles and woodlands.
Location of zones
Mixed forests, a combination of coniferous and broad-leaved species, are found on the East European and West Siberian plains, as well as in the Carpathians, the Caucasus and the Far East.
In general, both mixed and broad-leaved forests do not occupy such a large proportion of the forest area Russian Federation, How coniferous taiga. The fact is that such ecosystems do not take root in Siberia. They are traditional only for the European and Far Eastern regions and at the same time grow broken lines. Pure mixed forests are found south of the taiga, as well as beyond the Urals to the Amur region.
Climate
Forest plantations mixed type They have cold but not very long winters and hot summers. Climatic conditions such that precipitation falls no more than 700 mm per year. The moisture coefficient is increased, but can change throughout the summer. In our country, mixed forests stand on sod-podzolic soil, and in the west - on brown forest. As a rule, winter temperatures do not fall below - 10˚C.
Broad-leaved forest plantations are characterized by a humid and moderately humid climate, where precipitation is distributed evenly throughout the year. The temperatures are quite high, and even in January it never gets colder than -8˚C. High humidity and abundant heat stimulate the work of bacteria and fungal organisms, due to which the leaves quickly decompose and the soil maintains maximum fertility.
Features of the plant world
Features of biochemical and biological processes cause the consolidation of species diversity as they move towards broad-leaved species. European mixed forests are distinguished by the obligatory presence of pine, spruce, maple, oak, linden, ash, elm, and among the shrubs the leaders are viburnum, hazel, and honeysuckle. Ferns are very common as herbs. Caucasian mixed forests contain large quantities of beech and fir, while the Far Eastern forests contain birch, walnut, hornbeam, and larch. These same forests are distinguished by a variety of vines.
Representatives of fauna
Mixed forests are home to those animals and birds that are generally considered typical for forest conditions. These are moose, foxes, wolves, bears, wild boars, hedgehogs, hares, badgers. If we talk about individual broad-leaved forests, the species diversity of birds, rodents and ungulates is especially striking here. Roe deer, fallow deer, deer, beavers, muskrats and nutria are found in such forests.
Economic activity
The temperate natural zone, including mixed forests, has long been developed local residents and densely populated. An impressive part of the forest plantations was cut down several centuries ago, which is why the composition of the forest has changed and the proportion of small-leaved species has increased. In place of many forests, agricultural areas and settlements appeared.
Broad-leaved forests can generally be considered rare forest ecosystems. After the 17th century, they were cut down on a large scale, largely because wood was needed for the sailing fleet. Also, broad-leaved forests were actively cut down for arable land and meadows. Oak plantations have suffered especially badly from such human activity, and it is unlikely that they will ever be restored.
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