Climate of the Temperate Deciduous Forest in the Eastern US
- Average Rainfall: 30-60 in
- this precipitation falls throughout the year but in the winter falls as snow
- Average Temperature: 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius)
Net Primary Productivity
The temperate deciduous forests are located in the mid latitude regions and have great diversity. They are so highly diverse due to the fact that they have 4 seasons, fall, winter, summer and spring. Anything that lives there must be able to adapt to the seasons. The temperate deciduous forests growing season is more than 120 days, making it very fertile. The net primary productivity is very high which shows how the area is producing a great amount of useful chemical energy.
Soil Quality
- as the leaves decompose the nutrients contained in the leaves are absorbed by the soil causing the soil to be very fertile
- because of the soil and a long, 5-6 month growing season many temperate deciduous forests have been converted into agricultural regions
Invasive and Endangered Species
Endangered Red Wolf
Distinguished by their reddish fur, red wolves are threatened mainly by human activity (P in HIPPCO) and interbreeding with coyotes. A main problem problem in the temperate deciduous forests is the removal of trees by certain people(H in HIPPCO). Today 50 red wolves roam their native habitats in eastern North Carolina and nearly 200 are maintained in captive breeding facilities through the US.
