Temperate Rainforests

Temperate rainforests can be seen in a temperate climate where abundant rainfall occurs. In temperate rainforests, both coniferous and deciduous trees can be seen. Coniferous trees are those which do not shed their leaves and deciduous trees are those which shed their leaves on an annual basis. These rainforests serve as a habit for both animal species and plants. In Northern and southern hemispheres, these forests can be seen. 

Temperate rainforests

In regions where heavy rainfall has been observed, temperate rainforests have grown. Trees like “coniferous or broadleaf and deciduous” trees can be seen in temperate rainforests. A wide range of animal species and plants can be found in this region. “Coniferous or broadleaf trees’ ‘ are those which do not shed their leaves and deciduous trees are those which lose their leaves on yearly basis. Most of the temperate rainforests are protected. This restricts their logging within boundaries, allowing the existence of ancient trees. Climate change has been a reason for the destruction of habitat of many plant and animal species. The largest temperate rainforests in the world eventually lost their footprints. Such deforestation is detrimental to the environment, as they absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide and shelter a variety of homegrown species. To qualify as a temperate rainforest, the annual rainfall of the forest must be at least 55 inches or 140 cm and the average annual temperature should lie between 39 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit in Celsius Scale it must range between 4 to 12 degrees. The species of trees that exist in temperate rainforests are variable from region to region. But they include a variety of tall conifers and broadleaf trees. Falling trees in temperate coniferous forests can erode the forest floor and turn into nurse logs, anchoring and feeding new temperate rainforest plants and sheltering small mammals. Temperate rainforests can be grown anywhere around the world except Antarctica. In the Northern hemisphere, countries like the US, UK, Japan, Taiwan, Iran, Ireland, Canada, and Northern Spain ”, where temperate rainforests can be seen. Countries fall in the southern hemisphere like the Southern part of Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. The Pacific coast of North America has the longest coastal temperate belt. 

Temperate Rainforests endangered animals

Over thousands of years, new species emerged while others went extinct. Such extinctions are often because of changes in habitat, illness, or other sorts of environmental pressures. Although the main cause of recent animal extinction is due to changes in human behavior. There are endangered species that live in temperate rainforests, although many animals are endangered in one area while others are thriving elsewhere. Temperate rainforests have some endangered animals such as giant pandas, great wolves, bald eagle, European minks, wood bison, and red-crowned crane. Known for its reddish fur, the red wolf is an endangered species in temperate forests in the southern part of the US. Traditionally they were hunters who helped maintain the balance of the forest ecosystem by controlling the population of other animals. Sustainable afforestation, road construction, and other development activities targeting the largest trees are the biggest threats to temperate rainforests. Industrial expansion is leading to the destruction of old trees which resulted in destruction of the habitat of rare species. 

Temperate Rainforests keystone species

Keystone species are those species or organisms that help originate a whole ecosystem. Surprisingly, in coastal temperate rainforest, Pacific Salmon are found and identified as a keystone species. They used to help sustain mammals, birds, and wolves. In temperate deciduous forest keystone species like bears are found in biomes. In “the Pacific coast of British Columbia”, a thriving but fragile ecosystem exists named “The Great Bear Rainforest ”. Around 2500 salmon migrate every year in this forest. Keystone species can be a plant, animals, fungi, even bacteria which have a large influence on the ecosystem. They play a crucial role in their natural environment and change other ecosystems. Without keystone species, other species may disappear or the ecosystem may disintegrate. Keystone species are those living organisms whose existence and role in an ecosystem is such that they exert an inconsistency in other living beings within the ecosystem. In general, keystone species are dominant or top predators whose presence maintains ecological balance. The keystone species that are found in coniferous forests are black bears, gray wolves, and balsam fir. African elephants are considered to be a keystone species. In the maritime environment, StarFish are known as keystone species.

Conclusion

Temperate rainforests are as important to humans as they are to animals and trees. These rainforests provide humans with many resources like food, timber, oxygen, honey, and many other things. However, humans are also a threat to these temperate rainforests as humans do deforestation for industrial expansions and other development activities. Due to human interventions in forests, many trees and animals have become endangered and are on their way to going extinct. Many keystone species that are important to the ecosystem live in temperate rainforests. Temperate rainforests are essential for the ecosystem of animals and plants.