Background:
The Pacific Temperate Rainforest has a latitude of 45.820 and a longitude of -121.952. It lies along the western side of the Pacific Coast Ranges along the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America, from Alaska through the British Columbia Coast to Northern California, and is part of the Nearctic ecozone.
The Pacific Temperate Rainforest has a latitude of 45.820 and a longitude of -121.952. It lies along the western side of the Pacific Coast Ranges along the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America, from Alaska through the British Columbia Coast to Northern California, and is part of the Nearctic ecozone.
Location of the Pacific Temperate Rainforest.
Abiotic Factors:
Average Precipitation- about 120 inches per year
Average Temperature- between 10-24°C
Wind Patterns- moist wind patterns along the Pacific coast
Soil composition- rocky and acidic
Geographic Features- These forests mainly contain Western Hemlock, Sitka Spruce and Coast Redwood. Additionally, there is a dense growth of epiphytes, mosses and vegetation.
Solar Radiation- Due to tree cover, there are little amounts of solar radiation.
Limiting Factors- Plants have weak “allelopathy,” which is the plants ability to affect the soil acidity and nutrient composition. Another strong limiting factor is the little sunlight that actually reaches the forest floor due to the tall trees.
Average Precipitation- about 120 inches per year
Average Temperature- between 10-24°C
Wind Patterns- moist wind patterns along the Pacific coast
Soil composition- rocky and acidic
Geographic Features- These forests mainly contain Western Hemlock, Sitka Spruce and Coast Redwood. Additionally, there is a dense growth of epiphytes, mosses and vegetation.
Solar Radiation- Due to tree cover, there are little amounts of solar radiation.
Limiting Factors- Plants have weak “allelopathy,” which is the plants ability to affect the soil acidity and nutrient composition. Another strong limiting factor is the little sunlight that actually reaches the forest floor due to the tall trees.
Weather Patterns:
This rainforest has one of the most unique climatic conditions. Its moderate temperature and abundance of rainfall creates a climate making fires very rare. This makes it so natural disturbances are instead caused by winds, floods, and avalanches. With the combination of weather and rainfall, some of the tallest and oldest trees in the world are known to grow here, specifically the redwood trees and Douglas fir. Mosses and lichen are also able to grow widely here due to the moist environment that puts minimal stress on plants without roots. A wide variety of slugs also thrive in the Pacific Temperate Rainforest since the humid air prevents them from dehydration.
This rainforest has one of the most unique climatic conditions. Its moderate temperature and abundance of rainfall creates a climate making fires very rare. This makes it so natural disturbances are instead caused by winds, floods, and avalanches. With the combination of weather and rainfall, some of the tallest and oldest trees in the world are known to grow here, specifically the redwood trees and Douglas fir. Mosses and lichen are also able to grow widely here due to the moist environment that puts minimal stress on plants without roots. A wide variety of slugs also thrive in the Pacific Temperate Rainforest since the humid air prevents them from dehydration.
A climatogram of a basic Temperate Rainforest.
Biome Species:
The five major heterotrophs in the Pacific Temperate Rainforest are wolves, bears, birds, insects, and salmon. The five major autotrophs are ferns, grasses, moss, small flowering plants, and small leafy plants. The five major decomposers are bacteria, protozoans, leaf-cutter ants, fungi, and detrivores. Salmon is a keystone species with an ecological value, as it is a food source to many animals. Timber is a keystone species with an economical value, as it is widely used by humans for construction. Timber has an ecological value as well because many plants and animals need it to survive for shelter. Some endangered species in this area include red wolves, elk, bison, and caribous.
The five major heterotrophs in the Pacific Temperate Rainforest are wolves, bears, birds, insects, and salmon. The five major autotrophs are ferns, grasses, moss, small flowering plants, and small leafy plants. The five major decomposers are bacteria, protozoans, leaf-cutter ants, fungi, and detrivores. Salmon is a keystone species with an ecological value, as it is a food source to many animals. Timber is a keystone species with an economical value, as it is widely used by humans for construction. Timber has an ecological value as well because many plants and animals need it to survive for shelter. Some endangered species in this area include red wolves, elk, bison, and caribous.
