From Regina Bailey,
Your Guide to Biology.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

Land Biomes

• Temperate Forests
  
• Chaparrals
  
• Deserts
• Savannas
  
• Taigas
• Temperate Grasslands
• Tropical Rain Forests
• Tundra
  

Biomes are the world's major habitats. These habitats are identified by the vegetation and animals that populate them. The location of each biome is determined by the regional climate.

Temperate Forests

Temperate forests are areas with high levels of precipitation, humidity and contain a variety of deciduous trees. Deciduous trees lose their leaves in winter.

Climate

Temperate forests have a wide range of temperatures that correlate with the distinctive seasons. Temperatures range from hot in the summer with highs of 86 degrees Fahrenheit, to extremely cold in the winter with lows of - 22 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperate forests receive abundant amounts of precipitation, usually between 20-60 inches of precipitation annually. This precipitation is in the form of rain and snow.

Location

Some locations of temperate forests include:

• Eastern Asia
  
• Central and Western Europe
  
• Eastern United States
  

Vegetation

Due to abundant rainfall and thick soil humus, temperate forests are able to support a wide variety of vegetation. This vegetation exists in several layers ranging from lichens and mosses on the ground layer to large tree species like oak and hickory that stretch high above the forest floor. Other examples of temperate forest vegetation include:

Forest Canopy Tier: Maple trees, Walnut trees, Birch trees

Small Tree Tier: Dogwoods, Redbuds, Shadbush

Shrub Tier: Azaleas, Mountain Laurel, Huckleberries

Herb Tier: Blue Bead Lily, Indian Cucumber, Wild Sarsaparilla

Floor Tier: Lichens and Mosses

Wildlife

Temperate forests are home to a wide variety of animals. These animals include various insects and spiders, wolves, foxes, bears, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, eagles, rabbits, deer, skunks, squirrels, racoons, squirrels, moose and hummingbirds.

Temperate forest animals have many different ways to deal with the cold and lack of food in winter. Some animals hibernate during the winter and arise in spring when food is more plentiful. Other animals store food and burrow underground to escape the cold. Many animals escape the harsh conditions by migrating to warmer regions in winter.

Share Your Opinions

Have a question about temperate forests? Come on over to the Biology Forum and share your thoughts, opinions and feelings. Until next time...