15.1.4

Biome Features: Temperate Forests

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Overview of Temperate Forests

Temperate forests have 4 clear seasons during the year. Summer is warm, winters are mild and rain falls regularly during the year. A temperate forest could receive 1,000mm - 1,500mm of annual rainfall.

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Plants

  • In winter, a temperate forest will receive less sunlight than in summer.
  • A temperate forest is the middle ground between the huge biodiversity of tropical rainforests and the difficult life in taiga/boreal forests.
  • There are some plant species, but not as many as in tropical rainforests.
  • Common plants in temperate forests are vegetation like moss and ferns, and trees like the maple tree and oak tree.
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Animals

  • Because there is a reasonably strong plant ecosystem in temperate forests, they can support moderate animal populations (although not as many as tropical rainforests).
  • Mammals (like squirrels and hedgehogs), birds (like owls), and insects can live in temperate forests.
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Soil

  • In autumn, the broad-leaved trees lose their leaves. This leaf litter is broken down and the nutrients enter the soil.
  • Because of this, the soils are rich in nutrients and good for farming.

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1Geography Skills

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7Natural Resources

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11Tectonics

12Climate Change

13Global Population & Inequality

14Urbanisation

15Ecosystems

16Life in an Emerging Country

17Analysis of Africa

18Analysis of India

19Analysis of the Middle East

20Analysis of Bangladesh

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