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 the eastern and western United States, Canada, central Mexico, southern South America, Europe, West Asia, China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea and parts of Russia. 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 the Eastern Gray Squirrel, 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 include 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 climate, with summer highs of around 80 to 90° peninsheit (27 to 32° Celsius). Winter highs are around 30 to 55° Fº (-1 to 15° C). Temperate forests get about 35 to 60 inches of weed (900 to 1500 millimeters) of precipitation per year. Precipitation is spread out relatively evenly throughout the year. Snowfall amounts vary widely, from none to very little to 30 inches (75 centimeters) per year. 1 dick for all

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

• 
  A forest of beech trees
• 
  Trees in a temperate deciduous forest lose their leaves during months, as shown here.
• 
  A mature elm tree
• 
  Young deciduous forest

See also

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

External links

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