Adam Wescott on: Temperate Forest

Temperate forest occurs in North America, Northeastern Asia and western and central Europe. It experiences well-defined springs, summers, autumns and winters. The climate is generally moderate and the growing season ranges from a hundred and forty to two hundred days during four to six months that are free of frost. Temperature varies from -30 Celsius to 30 Celsius depending on the season. Precipitation is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year and ranges from 75 to 150 cm. Examples of aquatic ecosystems include rivers and streams.


Soil in temperate forest is fertile, and is constantly enriched with decaying litter. The tree canopy is moderately dense, but allows light to penetrate, resulting in well-developed and very diverse understory vegetation. Trees in temperate forest are distinguished by broad leaves that fall annually. On average, there are three to four different tree species per square kilometer! Examples of flora include oak, hickory and beech. Examples of fauna include rabbits, deer and mountain lion.


Deforestation is a serious problem in temperate forests. Many companies forbidden from logging in the United States by law often clear forests overseas, chopping down trees to produce furniture, paper and other commodities for humankind. Illegal logging has also increased, and smuggling of illegitimate chopped wood has become somewhat common.


There are plenty of opportunities for recreation in temperate forests. A number of opportunities can be found in the United States, which is home to many national parks and trails where temperate forest grows. The mammoth Appalachian Trail in particular stretches across most of the United States and is wandered by hikers for much of the year.

SOURCES:
http://darwin.bio.uci.edu/~sustain/bio65/lec15/b65lec15.htm
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/forests.php#temperate
PICTURES:
http://lamington.nrsm.uq.edu.au/images/plant/mist_anbeech_large.JPG
http://www.geography.hunter.cuny.edu/~tbw/wc.notes/15.climates.veg/veg.images/temperate.deciduous.forests/temperate_forest.in.winter.jpg
http://www.stockpix.com/image/2924.jpg