What is a Temperate Rainforest?

A temperate rainforest is a forest that is located in a temperate region, but receives a large amount of rainfall. Temperate rainforests are considered one of the rarest ecosystems in the world. Most are located in the Pacific Northwest region of North America, though these forests can also be found in South America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Asia, and Europe. Temperate rainforests are generally situated near a seacoast and usually have a very high biomass. Most of the plants in a typical temperate rainforest are epiphytes, or rootless plants, that draw moisture from the air rather than from the soil.

The Pacific Northwest region of North America may contain the world's largest concentration of temperate rainforest lands. About two-thirds of the world's temperate rainforests can be found in this region. Other such rainforests exist off the coasts of Chile, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Some tracts of temperate rainforest may continue to thrive in Western Europe, Asia, and other regions of North America. Altogether, there are currently about 75 million acres of temperate rainforest in the world, and they are generally found between 23 and 66 degrees of latitude in both the northern and southern hemispheres.

The typical temperate rainforest receives between 55 and 200 inches (1.39 to 5.08 meters) of rain yearly. Most temperate rainforests enjoy a long rainy season and a short dry season. During this dry season, 7 to 12 inches (17.8 to 30.5 cm) of rain may fall as fog. Temperate rainforests are usually located in coastal regions, and may draw most of their rainfall from the sea.

Due to their generally high levels of biomass, temperate rainforests are widely considered among the world's most biologically diverse regions. The temperate rainforest is typically marked by its many epiphytes. Epiphytes are rootless plants that typically grow from other plants, especially maple trees. Epiphytes don't generally depend on the soil at all, but draw their moisture from the humid air of the temperate rainforest.

Though temperate rainforests receive much of their precipitation in the form of rainfall during the wet season, precipitation in the form of fog can be crucial to these ecosystems during the dry season. Heavy fog helps keep the air humid and moist to help the many fungi and ferns of the temperate rainforest thrive during the brief period of low precipitation.

A temperate rainforest is characterized by its moderate climate and high precipitation, typically receiving between 200 to 350 centimeters (80 to 140 inches) of rainfall annually. Unlike tropical rainforests, they experience cooler temperatures, ranging from 4 to 12 degrees Celsius (39 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit), and are found in coastal regions, such as the Pacific Northwest of the United States.

Temperate rainforests are primarily located along coastlines in regions such as the Pacific Northwest of North America, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, and parts of the British Isles, Japan, and Norway. These forests thrive in areas where oceanic moisture is abundant and winters are mild.

In temperate rainforests, you'll find a rich diversity of plant life, including towering conifers like Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, and western hemlock. The understory is lush with ferns, mosses, and a variety of shrubs. These forests are known for their dense canopies and multi-layered vegetation, which create unique habitats for wildlife.

Temperate rainforests are home to a wide array of wildlife, including mammals like black bears, cougars, and elk. Bird species such as the spotted owl and marbled murrelet thrive in the canopy, while the forest floor supports amphibians like salamanders. These ecosystems are also crucial for salmon, which spawn in the forest's freshwater streams.

Temperate rainforests differ from tropical rainforests in their climate, location, and biodiversity. Temperate rainforests have cooler temperatures and are found at higher latitudes, while tropical rainforests are located near the equator with warm, consistent temperatures year-round. Tropical rainforests also boast greater species diversity compared to their temperate counterparts.

Temperate rainforests play a critical role in the environment by sequestering carbon, thus helping to mitigate climate change. They also maintain water cycles, prevent soil erosion, and provide habitat for a multitude of species. According to the World Wildlife Fund, old-growth temperate rainforests can store more carbon per hectare than tropical rainforests, highlighting their significance in global carbon dynamics.