Deciduous comes from the Latin word decidere which means fall off. Most of the trees in Eupleides' deciduous forest shed their leaves during fall season.  This mechanism allows the trees to conserve their energy because instead of using energy to support many leaves, they'd rather  use this energy to make new ones for the coming spring after a possible harsh winter.  Besides, having too much snow fall on the leaves will snap the leaves off from their stems and render them useless. 

Producers

Asterlillies

Asterlilies first appear on Eupleides approximately 50 million years ago. Asterlilies thrive during the spring and summer season, but stay dormant during the long cold winter season. They tend to grow wild under all the trees towering above. To try and capture as much sunlight as possible under the towering trees, asterlilies have developed leaves that branch of from stems.  They absorb water through their network of roots in the moist soil. 

Luxe trees

Luxe Trees have many leaves during spring and summer but they shed all of them during fall to reserve their energies (food) for the harsh winters typical of eastern Penancea. Before they shed their leaves, the leaves change color.

Jetotree

The Jetotree grows abundant in the Deciduous Forests of Eupleides.  These mighty trees, reaching as high as 50 feet, are considered Evergreens because their leaves do not fall. Though the leaves do not fall, they do change colors in the colder seasons. These trees live longs lives, sometimes greater than 70 years or more.  The roots extend deep underground, forming a strong foundation for the tree.  These roots supply water for the tree, while the leaves absorb the light from Luminous.

Primary Consumer

White Tailed Reed

When water is scarce, White Tail Reeds are seen to descend the mountains and head towards Lake Meismo (the largest lake) in the continent of Mandalea while in the continent of Penancea, these graceful Reeds come down from Mt. Cristo (inactive volcanic mountain on the Eastern coast of Penancea) and feast on the rich Deciduous forest grounds. These animals are herbivores, i.e. they only eat plants. White Tailed Reeds have slender long legs that enable them to run swiftly and softly keeping their predators at bay. These animals belong to the class of placental mammals. This means that their young develop with the help of an organ called the placenta that attaches to the wall of the mother's womb and provides nourishment and waste disposal for the baby through the umbilical cord.

Secondary Consumer

Squirmella

 Squirrmellas are lively little animals that roam through the deciduous forest.    The body of the squirmella is approximately 23-30 cm long.  They have a long fury tail that can be as long as 20cm. long.  At most, they weigh 2 pounds and live for 4-6 years.  Squirmella make their homes in Luxe and Jetotrees.  They mostly feed on seeds and nuts but occasionally will eat eggs, young birds, or insects.   They have developed strong teeth to penetrate through the hard shells of nuts and seeds.  They are very quick and agile and usually run away from their predators by climbing to the ends of branches.  Squirmella  usually reproduce two times during the year, in early spring and summer.  The young rely on their mother for the first 2 months of their lives.  Males   do not usually participate in the rearing of the young.

Predator

Figer

Figer evolved as Hemisquilla ensigera moved into the woodlands of Eupleides.  The predator instinct continued and, in order to hunt new creatures, it developed four long legs.  And, for balance, it grew a long tail.  Figer is known to reach speeds of up to 20 MPH and an adult Figer can stand up 3 feet.  To be a better predator, stripes developed and allowed it to blend in with the forest trees.

The Food Chain

The Energy Pyramid among Eupleides Mud Flat organisms