Temperate forest

Question 1

Define the temperate forest biome

Answer 1

A temperate forest biome is characterised by moderate temperatures, distinct seasons and moderate precipitation. Typically located betweem tropical and polar regions

Question 2

What vegetation types are found in the temperate forest biome?

Answer 2

– Layers (top→bottom):
* Canopy: Tall deciduous (oaks, maples, beeches) and some conifers (pines, firs)
* Understory/Sub‐canopy: Smaller shade‐tolerant trees (dogwood, serviceberry, hemlock)
* Shrub: Woody shrubs (rhododendron, hollies, viburnum)
* Herbaceous: Spring ephemerals (trillium, mayapple), ferns, wildflowers, sedges
* Forest Floor: Leaf litter, mosses, fungi, decomposers
* Vines: Wild grape, Virginia creeper climbing through all layers

Every layer occupies its own light niche—canopy captures sun, while shrubs and herbs exploit filtered light or early‐spring sunlight before leaf‐out.