TEMPERATE FORESTS
Distinct Characteristics:
Temperate forests are most notable because they go through
four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Leaves in
these forests will change colour in the Autumn, fall off in Winter,
and grow back in Spring.
High Precipitation
Extreme Temperature
Low Insolation
High Humidity
High Biodiversity
Net Productivity:
1200 g/(sq m x yr)
Endangered Species:
Giant Panda
Grey Wolf
Red-Crowned Crane
European Mink
Bald Eagle
Wood Bison
Biodiversity:
High Biodiversity.
There is great diversity of life in this biome. Insects, spiders,
slugs, frogs, turtles and salamanders are common. Although the
biodiversity of temperate forests is typically much lower than
that of tropical forests, temperate forest biodiversity hotspots
with unique evolutionary histories.
Human Impacts:
These temperate forests are cleared for agricultural
purposes, settlement purposes, and the timber industry.
Though these trees have economic value that benefit our
growing population, the environmental cost is often left out of
the financial equation. Another issue involving the influence of
the human population is pollution. Due to human activity and
industrial development, temperate forests are exposed to
multiple types of pollutants – chemicals, herbicides, pesticides,
and more. Other forms of pollution, such as water pollution and
air pollution, are also causing environmental issues within the
temperate forest ecosystem.
Climate Change:
The temperate forest ecosystem is threatened by many
natural disturbances that are intensified by climate change;
including drought stress, wind disturbance, and fire
frequency. Drought stress is intensified through the increase
of extreme temperatures and threatens the water needs and
temperature tolerances of the flora and fauna present in this
ecosystem. Pairing drought stress with fire
frequency, forest fires are more common in drought-like
conditions and can lead to the destruction of habitat and loss
of biodiversity.
TROPICAL FORESTS
Distinct Characteristics:
In tropical forests, the temperature and general climate is
consistent all year round and there are no seasons or changes
in the trees. Though there is a 'rainy season' in the winter
months where precipitation levels are higher.
High Precipitation
High Temperature
High Insolation
High Humidity
High Biodiversity
Net Productivity:
2200 g/(sq m x yr)
Endangered Species:
African Forest Elephant
Chimpanzee
Golden Lion Tamarin
Bonobo
Amazon River Dolphin
Poison Dart Frogs
Biodiversity:
High Biodiversity.
Tropical rainforests are the most biologically diverse terrestrial
ecosystems in the world. The Amazon rainforest is the world's
largest tropical rainforest. It is home to around 40,000 plant
species, nearly 1,300 bird species, 3,000 types of fish, 427
species of mammals, and 2.5 million different insects.
Human Impacts:
Deforestation perpetuates vast habitat loss around the globe.
According to scientific research, “Under these historical
pressures, it is estimated that only 1–2% of the original
temperate forest remains as never-harvested remnants
scattered around the globe.” Due to human activity and
industrial development, temperate forests are exposed to
multiple types of pollutants – chemicals, herbicides, pesticides,
and more. Other forms of pollution, such as water pollution and
air pollution, are also causing environmental issues within the
temperate forest ecosystem.
Climate Change:
Changing climate leads to forest degradation. Once
sufficiently degraded, the forest will lose its ability to generate
its own rainfall, thereby preventing the rainforest ecosystem
from being able to exist at all. Instead of leafy forests teeming
with wildlife, the Amazon would be a desolate expanse of
shrublands. Additionally, Tropical rainforests are home to
nearly 30 million species of plants and animals, which heavily
rely on another for survival Degraded forests and food
shortages result in an increased number of threatened
species.