TEMPERATE RAIN FOREST

Biome Research

ByZoe Lovett

TEMPERATE RAIN FORESTGEOGRAPHY & CLIMATE

Location: Europe and North America Description: New Zealand, Southern Chile,

and Pacific Northwest of the United States Soil type: Rich soil Precipitation: 200cm- 400cm yearly Temperature range: 9o celcius – 12o celcius Climate: Mild temperature

TEMPERATE RAIN FORESTBIODIVERSITY

Plant species: Douglas fir, western red cedar, spruce, mosses, and lichens.

Animal species: Black bears, cougars, bobcats, endangered northern spotted owl, threatened marbled murrelet salamander, wolf, lynx, elk, deer, salmon, shrew, and many insects.

TEMPERATE RAINFOREST ADAPTATIONS NEEDED FOR SURVIVAL

Plant: The spruce tree is tall so it can get sunlight. The more rain there is, the taller the grass will be. Wildfires periodically destroy dry grass and this leads to new growth.

Animal: The cougar is fast so it can catch prey. Burrowing can help some animals survive.

TEMPERATE RAINFOREST INTERACTIONS OF BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC

Biotic: Birds eat cones that fall from trees. Deer feed on the grass and leaves of the understory.

Abiotic: Water helps the trees grow. Water, such as streams and ponds, support amphibians like salmon.

WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY?

Biodiversity is able to be studied on many levels. Biodiversity is the category and variety of

life. As of right now, researchers have only identified 1.7 million species, but have

estimated that there are between 3 – 30 million species on Earth. Species diversity is not the only type of biodiversity, there is also Genetic

biodiversity, and Ecological biodiversity. Genetic biodiversity is different patterns in genes that

exist within a species. Ecological biodiversity is the diversity of natural communities and

habitats, and ecosystems. Biodiversity is very important because it allows us to live happy and

healthy lives.

HOW DOES BIODIVERSITY CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUSTAINABILITY OF AN ECOSYSTEM?

Biodiversity provides us with an array of foods and materials and contributes to the environment. Biodiversity includes everything from cleaning water and absorbing chemicals. Biodiversity also allows for ecosystems to adjust to disturbances like extreme fires and floods.