Download Temperate Forests

Temperate Forests
Katie Aguilera
Erin Monahan
Geographic Location
- Established between the tropics and the polar regions (“Temperate
Forests”)
- Present in Northern and Southern Hemispheres
~ more temperate forests exist in Northern regions
-Located in China, Korea, Japan, most of Europe (disincluding
Mediterranean areas), and Eastern portion of the United States
-Experiences four seasons due to location
~between the 58th and 26th parallel (“Temperate
Broadleaf Deciduous Forests”)
Temperate Forest Regions
(“Temperate Forests”)
Climate Characteristics
• Average Annual Temperature:
- 10 C (“Biome Basics”)
• Temperature Range:
-four seasons cause a wide range of temperatures
~ -30 C to 30  C (“Biome Basics”)
• Average Rainfall:
- 20 to 60 inches of precipitation
-distributed evenly throughout the year
~in forms of snow and rain (“Biome Basics”)
Limiting Factors
• Elevation:
-Some temperate forests are found on the slopes of
mountains
~generally experience colder winters
-Can grow in basins
~generally subject to more precipitation
(“Temperate Broadleaf Deciduous Forests”)
(“Ecological Diversity”)
Layers
• Tree stratum-tallest
• Small tree or sapling layer-shorter and
younger trees
• Shrub layer
• Herb layer-short plants
• Ground layer-lichens, mosses
(“Biome Basics”)
Trees
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Maple
Birch
Beech
Oak
Hickory
Sweet gum
Pine trees and other
coniferous trees
• Taiga is found in the
north end
(“Biome Basics”)
Animals
• Birds, Insects, Reptiles
• Mammals:
– Bears, raccoons, squirrels, skinks, wood
mice and deer
• Bobcats, elk, bison, mountain lions,
timber wolves and coyotes have been
hunted and close to being wiped out
• Platypus is in the temperate forests of
Australia
(“Temperate Forest Foundation”)
Adaptations
• PLANTS
– Leaves are broad and
light so it has a bigger
surface to capture
sunlight
– Trees cut off water
supply to the leaves
and seal off the leaf
stems where they join
onto the tree trunks
• ANIMALS
– Migrate to warmer
places to escape cold
winters
– Hibernation through
winters when food is
scarce
– Squirrels, chipmunks
and jays store food
when its plentiful
(“Temperate Forest Biome”)
(“Temperate Forest Biome”)
References
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Ciucci, Mary, Collen McCartney, and Mary Warren. "Temperate Forest, Hot or Cold?" Biome
Basics. Apr.-May 1997. Richmond University. 16 Oct. 2008
<http://http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webunits/biomes/tforestclimat
e.html>.
"Ecological Diversity." Temperate Forest Foundation. 2007. Temperate Forest Foundation:
Research and Education. 17 Oct. 2008 <http://http://www.forestinfo.org/discover/diversity.htm>.
Elis, G. "Temperate Forests." Glossopedia. 16 Oct. 2008
<http://http://www.globio.org/glossopedia/article.aspx?art_id=3>.
"Temperate Broadleaf Deciduous Forest." Biomes. 13 Oct. 1996. 16 Oct. 2008
<http://http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/classes/geog235/biomes/tbdf/tbdf.html>.
Viau, Elizabeth A. "Food Pyramid." Temperate Forest Biome. 2000. World Builders. 2008
<http://www.world-builders.org/lessons/less/biomes/rainforest/temp_rain/temppy.html>.