What Threatens This Biome? And Why is it Globally Important?
What Threatens the Temperate Deciduous Forest?
Why is the Temperate Deciduous Forest Important?
The temperate forest is important because of its biodiversity. It the home to many different species of trees and plants. It is also the home of many animals. There may not be a lot of large mammals in the forests, but there are a lot of smaller animals like squirrels and chipmunks, as well as many reptiles. If the temperate deciduous forest were to be cut down or destoryed where would all of these animals live?
- The biggest threat to Temperature Deciduous Forest would be development and Agriculture.
- Logging; most of the trees here are hardwoods, which means they have a denser wood than most of the coniferous trees. It also means they may grow more slowly, which means more pressure to cut the trees to maintain volume at the sawmill.
- Acid Rain from coal-burning is another threat, as is global warming, which in particular may change rainfall patterns.
- Although it is hard to prove that air pollution kills trees outright, scientists know that the pollution does weaken trees’ health.
- Global warming is when too much carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere causing what is called the greenhouse effect. This is when the Earth’s average temperature increases. Scientists are not exactly sure how this will affect the plants and animals in the temperate forests, but they do know that global warming does effect plant growth.
- Illegal harvest of plants and animals. This is when one takes a plant or animal out of the forest that is protected by law. Black bear paws, gallbladders, and other body parts are illegally sold to Asian clients to be made into folk medicine.
- Off-road vehicles are a threat to plants and animals in the temperate forests, especially when ridden off of the trails. These vehicles can rip up plants and crush animal homes
Why is the Temperate Deciduous Forest Important?
The temperate forest is important because of its biodiversity. It the home to many different species of trees and plants. It is also the home of many animals. There may not be a lot of large mammals in the forests, but there are a lot of smaller animals like squirrels and chipmunks, as well as many reptiles. If the temperate deciduous forest were to be cut down or destoryed where would all of these animals live?