|
Temperate forests are found in Asia, North America, South America,
and Europe. There are four seasons in the temperate forest. The temperate forests receive around 30 to 60 inches of
rain throughout all seasons of the year. The Temperate biomes experience cold winters and warm summers. The average
temperature for the temperate forest is 50 degrees fahrenheit. Animals that live in the temperate biome include worms, insects,
salamanders, snakes, squirrels, rabbits, skunks, raccoons, bears, deer, and opossums. Trees that are in this biome include
maple trees, beech trees, hickory trees, and oak trees. These trees all shed their leaves in the autumn months and regrow
them in the spring months. In the temperate forests there are many flowers, but the main flowers are the passion berry and
the blue lily flowers.
Temperate grasslands are found in central Asia, North America, Australia,
central Europe, and upland plateaus of South America. The temperate grasslands generally experience warm summers and cold
winters. Temperate areas receive seasonal rainfall that generally ranges from 25-35 inches of rain. The temperature in the
temperate grasslands ranges from over 100 degrees fahrenheit in the summer and under - 40 degrees in the winter. Animals that
live in this area include Prairie Chicken, Black-Tailed Prairie Dog, and Whitetail Deer. This area also has reptiles such
as snakes and this area also has insects such as ants and grasshoppers. Plants that are found in this area include lush, perennial
grasses, and herbs.
Temperate woodland and shrubland areas are commonly found on the
western coasts of North and South America, areas around the Mediterranean Sea, South Africa, and Australia. The temperate
woodland areas generally experience hot dry summers and cool moist winters. The plants that are most commonly found in the
temperate woodland areas are the evergreen shrubs. Animals that are found in this area include coyotes, foxes, bobcats, deer,
rabbits, mice, and hawks.
The Temperate Forest
|
|
|
 |
|
Nutria
The Nutria were introduced into the United States from South America in 1899 to be used
in factories for fur. When the industry started to decline the Nutria were let loose from factories. The Nutria are now located
in twenty two states. The Nutria have no natural enemies, however traps have been set up around the United States to keep
the population from growing. "Nutria have severely damaged marsh vegetation which causes conversion of heavy vegetation to
open water, thereby removing nesting or overwintering habitat for many birds, and eliminating habitat critical to the juvenile
stages of important commercial species such as shrimp, crabs, oysters, many species of young fishes, and others. It has been
very destructive in the mid-Atlantic states, primarily on the Delmarva Peninsula." (http://www.epa.gov/maia/html/intro-species.html , 2003)
|
|
|
|
|
|
