Introduction To Temperate Forest Ecosystems
Temperate
forest is a forest which is found between the tropical and boreal regions,
located in the temperate zone. It is the second largest biome on the planet
covering 25% of the world’s forest area, only behind the boreal forest, which
covers about 33%.
Salient
Features Of Temperate Forest Ecosystem
Temperate
forests are characterized as regions with high levels of precipitation,
moisture content, humidity, and a variety of deciduous trees. Deciduous trees
are trees that lose their leaves in winter. Thus, these trees shed their leaves
in fall and bud new leaves in spring when warmer temperatures and longer hours
of daylight return. They have a continuous canopy of broad-leaved trees. They
occur between approximately 25- and 50-degrees latitudes.
What are
threats to temperate forest ecosystems?
There are
many threats to rainforests in general, most of which are human. Some of these
threats consist of mining, introduction of new animals to the ecosystem, global
warming, acid rain and most importantly, deforestation. Simply put,
deforestation is the clearance of forests. This is mainly caused by the human
need for land and resources. Rainforest timber is of great value for its beauty
and usefulness. However, the growing process is slow, making it not economical
to grow them in plantations. Another reason for the clearing of forests relates
to the need of land. Such land is cleared so that people can farm, build roads
and buildings. Only few remote forests have been left untouched, due to the
impossibility of farming and logging.
Deforestation
does not on only effects the trees, but it destroys the balance of the biome.
Due to the loss of habitat and food, some animals have become close to
extinction and some even disappearing from the earth forever. Logging also
ruins the soil of the land, removing trees loosens up the soil which was once
held together by the trees. This can pollute freshwater rivers, endangering the
fish species which live there. In addition, many plants are unable to grow in
the disturbed land. Overall destroying the entire habitat, such damage takes
millions of years to repair.
Keywords: Temperate,
Temperate Forests, Temperate Grassland, Types Of Temperate Forests
About the
Author: Wardah Razzaq is an Environmentalist, a Certified Climate Reality
Leader and Mentor, Green Blogger, Environmental and Climate Change Activist,
Environmental and Climate Writer/Author, Researcher, and an International
Mentor at the New York Academy of Sciences. Her ambition is to raise awareness
among the masses regarding various environmental issues and about their
multifarious impacts and solutions via my piece of writings.
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