European Beech Forest Ecosystem

Teach your class about a European beech forest with our paper model!

Beech forests are the main type of natural forest in Europe. They are a type of temperate broadleaf forest.

Beech trees don't like competition. They form dense canopies leaving little light for the understory and other trees. They also drop a deep layer of acidic leaf litter which inhibits other plants. These features determines what is able to live there.

Our model shows some of the biodiversity in a European beech forest, their adaptations, their interactions and how they depend upon one another for survival.

Buy once, print forever!

First, your students make their model using the colourful parts. Then, they use it to look at how organisms are adapted to survive in a beech forest. Next, they learn about ecosystems, habitats, consumers and producers, food chains, food webs and energy pyramids for this ecosystem. The impact of invasive species is also considered.

Plants & animals modelled include: lynx, wild boar, badger, roe deer, fox, wildcat, red squirrel, pine marten, bank vole, Bechstein’s bat, raccoon, Ural owl, jay, black woodpecker, sparrowhawk, wood warbler, fire salamander, brambling, tau emperor moth, Alpine longhorn Rosalia beetle, violet click beetle, wood cricket, common beech, wild cherry, holly, yew, Norway spruce, bird's nest orchid and more!

Includes colourful classroom Powerpoint presentation!

Takes between 30-60 minutes depending on how many parts you use to make the model.

Dimensions: 48cm x 26cm x 24cm / 19in x 10.5in x 9.5in

Download includes: Colour and black-and-white templates, plus a classroom PowerPoint with background science and assembly instructions.

All you need: Paper, scissors and tape.