Forest floor ecosystem tank
In the forest floor ecosystem tank you will see branches from various hard and soft wood trees. Oak, elm, apple and hickory are some of the examples in the tank. Leaves were added as well as dirt. You will also see spiders, worms, beetles and cockroaches - yes! - cockroaches! Fruit, vegetables and bread are added from time to time to add composting. The food scraps will seem to disappear. Actually, two thing are happening to the food. It is being eaten and it is decomposing. Decompose means to break down. Dead trees and wood break down and becomes fertile soil. Dead plants add to the compost mix. Fungi helps the breaking down process.
Lots of insects and spiders inhabit
the forest floor. Decomposing leaves and wood help make the soil rich.
Lichens, mushrooms, and moss grow near the ground and on trees. Wildflowers,
berries and ferns are also found in the forest. Ferns are small type of
plant with symetrical leaves. They can be red or green. The
green ones are very common and the red ones are very rare.