Adaptation of animals and plants in forests.

Deciduous forest plants adapt to the biome in different ways, depending on the type of plant. Trees grow large leaves to absorb light during the growing season. The bark of deciduous trees is thicker than tropical trees to protect the inner core during long, harsh winters. Smaller plants, such as flowers and ferns, grow in early spring with long, fast-growing leaves. This allows the plant to absorb as much sunlight as possible before the leaves of the forest trees block the full power of the sun.

Small animals such as squirrels and chipmunks collect nuts and seeds by storing them in hollow logs or holes in the ground. Large mammals such as bears, woodcutters and raccoons spend the summer as long as possible. The weight they gain during the summer and fall allows these animals to winter when the weather is cold and food is scarce. Many birds migrate from temperate biomes to warmer climates.