Temperate Forest Ecosystem is Under Threat

 


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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