1. Forests of Western Washington

2. Washington’s Climate

3. Washington’s Biomes: Washinton has three main biomes: Boreal forest
Temperate rain forest
Grassland

4. Characteristics of Washington’s Old Growth Boreal Forests:

5. Multi-story canopy
Large amount of biomass
Lots of dead wood on floor
Snags
Mostly conifers
Some wildlife diversity, but not much

8. Common Tree Species in Western Washington:
Alder
Douglas-Fir
Western Red Cedar
Sitka Spruce
Western Hemlock

9. Alder: Common decidious tree Nitrogen-fixing
Occurs in early stages of succession

10. Douglas-Fir Very important economically “Groovy” bark
Short, hard, spiky needles (spruce)
Tallest species in WA

11. Western Red Cedar State tree of WA “Stringy” bark Soft, flat needles
Most biomass of any tree in WA
Most common in mature forests

12. Western Hemlock Occurs mostly at lower altitudes “Droopy” branches
Most common in later stages of succession
Needs very wet climate to survive

13. Sitka Spruce: State Tree of AK Short, spiky needles
Grows mostly in low-lying, coastal areas
Long life span

14. Tree Comparison:

15. Energy Pyramid:

16. Threats to Washington’s Forests:
Development (Building roads, shopping malls, houses, etc.)
Climate change
Logging (only a threat to old growth; heavily managed forests are replanted anyway)

17. Homework:
LO: Describe interactions between species in Pacific Northwest Boreal Forests. SLE: Articulate ideas clearly and effectively Using these elements in a PNW forest, create a food web and energy pyramid: Abiotic elements (sunlight, air, water, soil), fungi, bacteria, black ants, moss, grass, salal, Devil’s Thumb, Douglas-fir, Western Red Cedar, Alder, vole, chipmunk, grey squirrel, barn owl, raven, bald eagle, salmon, mule deer, Roosevelt Elk, cougar, grizzly bear.