Epping Forest

a small scale of temperature deciduous woodland in South-
East England, on the border between London and Essex

former royal forest, managed by the City of London Corporation

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and many of the insects and fungi are protected by law

abiotic, physical or non
living organisms

temperature, humidity

light

water

wind, carbon dioxide, oxygen

pH

rocks

nutrients in the soil

biotic, living
organisms

plants

animals

humans

bacteria

fungi

Broad leaf trees such as oak, beech. hornbeam
and elm. It has diverse landscape that includes areas
of historic wood, pasture, green lanes, ancient pollarded
trees and grassy plains

Many of the trees are hundreds of years old and support many insects and fungi. the soil beneath the forest is a fertile brown earth

nutrient cycle

in the autumn the leaves fall from the trees and decompose,
giving the soil its nutrients

earth worms in the soil help to mix the nutrients
and blend the layers within the soil

the tree roots are deep so help to break up the rock
below. this helps to give the soil more nutrients

the trees take up nutrients in the soil as they grow in summer. However, more nutrients are put back into the soil in autumn

Trophic Level 1 - Producers (plants eg moss)

Trophic Level 2 - Primary Consumers (herbivores
eg caterpillar, worms)

Trophic Level 3 - Secondary Consumers (smaller
carnivores eg mouse, small bird)

Trophic Level 4 - Tertiary Consumers (omnivores eg
badger, owl, fox)