Temperate deciduous forest

Temperate forest in Germany

A temperate deciduous forest, more precisely termed temperate broadleaf forest or temperate broadleaved forest, is a biome found in North America, southern South America, Europe, and Asia. A temperate deciduous forest consists of trees that lose their leaves every year. Examples include oak, maple, beech, and elm.

Organisms and their adaptations

Many well-known animals live in this kind of forest. Some examples are squirrels, bears, beavers, foxes, deer, rats, snakes, mice, wolves, raccoons, and large birds of prey like red-tailed hawks. These animals have unique adaptations suited for seasonal life. For example, some rodents store up fat, then hibernate during cold winters. Birds including the bald eagle, nightingale, cardinals, hawks, and the snowy owl.

The plants are adapted to survive in these conditions. For example, trees like the palm, white spruce, and the elm have leaves that absorb water and sunlight. The soaring branches do more than just provide shade for other creatures of this biome; they also provide nutrients necessary for the tree to live. Another example of adaptation: these trees shed their leaves in the winter. By shedding their leaves, they cannot transpire. Consequently, they are able to retain water for the winter.

Climate

The temperate deciduous forest has a temperate of four seasons. Temperate deciduous forests get about 950 to 1500 millimeters of rain annually, which is the second most of all the biomes. They have summer highs of about 27 to 32° Celsius with winter lows of around -1 to -15° Celsius.

Human effects

Humans have often colonized areas in the temperate deciduous forest. They have also harvested wood for timber. As a result, less than one quarter of original forests remain. Temperate forests have also been used for farming(agriculture).

Gallery

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  A forest of beech trees

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  Trees in a temperate deciduous forest lose their leaves during the fall months, as shown here.

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  A mature elm tree

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  Young deciduous forest

See also

• Temperate broadleaf and mixed forest
• Satoyama
• International Year of Forests

References

2. "Biology" Seventh Edition ; Authors: Raven, Johnson, Losos, and Singer; Published by McGraw-Hill Higher Education ©2005

3. "Temperate Deciduous Forest", http://www.coff.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/clymo5.html (June 4, 2000).

4. "Mid-Latitude Deciduous Forest", http://wbgnet.mobot/sets/temp/index.htm (June 4, 2000).

5. "Deciduous Forest". World Book Encyclopedia. 1994 ed.

6. "Deciduous", Websters New World Dectionary, 1994 ed.

External links

• A map of biome distribution (Temperate Deciduous Forest is in dark green)
• Deciduous Forest Biome