What is Temperate Forest? | Types, Definition, Structure, Function & Facts
What is Temperate Forest?
All forests have a lot of trees, but there are different types of forests. They are often described as different biomes. One of the main differences is their position relative to the equator and the poles. There are three main types of forest biomes: rainforest, temperate forest, and taiga. Tropical forests are located in the tropics, near the equator. Taiga Forest lies far to the north. The temperate rain forest lies in the middle.
What makes a forest a Temperate Forest?
Temperature – Moderate means “not excessive” or “in moderation”. In this case, temperate refers to temperature. It is never really hot (as in the rainforest) or really cold (as in the taiga) in temperate forests. Temperatures are typically between minus 20 degrees F and 90 degrees F.
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Four Seasons – There are four distinct seasons: winter, spring, summer, and autumn. Each season is roughly the same length. With only three months of winter, trees have a long growing season.
Lots of Rain – There is plenty of rain year-round, usually with 30 to 60 inches of rain.
Fertile Soil – Rotten leaves and other decaying matter provide fertile, deep soil that allows the plant to develop strong roots.
Where are the Temperate Forests located?
They are located in several parts of the world, between the equator and the poles.
Types of Temperate Forests
There are various different types of temperate forests. Here are the main ones:
Coniferous – These forests consist mainly of conifers such as cypress, cedar, redwood, fir, juniper, and pines. These plants grow needles instead of leaves and have cones instead of flowers.
Broad-leafed – These forests are made up of hardwood trees such as oak, maple, elm, walnut, chestnut, and hickory. These trees have large leaves that change color in the fall
Mixed coniferous and broad-leafed – These forests have a mix of conifers and hardwoods.
Major Temperate Forests of the World
There are various temperate forests situated around the world including:
- Eastern North America
- Europe
- Eastern China
- Japan
- Southeast Australia
- New Zealand
Plants of the Temperate Forests
Forest trees grow in different layers. The top layer is called the canopy and is made up of mature trees. These trees form an umbrella for most of the year, providing shade to the lower floors. The middle layer is called the lower layer. The lower tier is made up of smaller trees, saplings and shrubs. The lowest layer is the forest layer consisting of wildflowers, grasses, ferns, mushrooms and mosses.
The trees that grow here have several things in common.
They lose their leaves – Many of the trees that grow here are deciduous, which means they shed their leaves during the winter. There are also some evergreens that keep their leaves for the winter.
Sap – Many trees use the sap for wintering. It prevents their roots from freezing and is then used as energy in the spring to start growing again.
Animals of the Temperate Forests
A huge number of animals live here including black bears, mountain lions, deer, foxes, squirrels, skunks, rabbits, porcupines, wood wolves and several species of birds. Some animals are predators such as cougars and hawks. Many animals live off the seeds of many plants such as squirrels and turkeys.
Each animal has adapted to survive the winter.
Remain active – Some animals remain active during the winter. There are rabbits, squirrels, foxes and deer all active. Some are only adept at foraging while others, such as squirrels, hoard and hide food during the fall so they can eat during the winter.
Migrate – Some animals, such as birds, migrate to warmer places for the winter, then return home in the spring.
Hibernate – Some animals hibernate or rest during the winter. Basically, they sleep during the winter and live off their body fat stores.
Die and lay eggs – Many insects cannot survive the winter, but they can lay eggs. Their eggs will hatch in the spring.
Facts About the Temperate Forest Biome
Many animals have sharp claws for climbing trees such as squirrels, opossums, and raccoons.
Much of Western Europe’s forests have disappeared due to overdevelopment. Sadly, people in Eastern Europe are now dying from acid rain.
A single oak tree can produce 90,000 acorns in a year.
The trees use birds, acorns, and even the wind to disperse their seeds throughout the forest.
Deciduous is a Latin word meaning “to fall”. There were no terrestrial mammals in the forests of New Zealand until the arrival of humans, but there were many types of birds.
Black bears will apply a 5-inch thick layer of grease before going to bed during the winter.