Whats A Temperate Deciduous Forest Like?
One of the most interesting features of the temperate deciduous forest is its changing seasons. The word “deciduous” means exactly what the leaves on these trees do: change color in autumn, fall off in the winter, and grow back again in the spring. This adaptation helps trees in the forest survive winter. If you look at the graph to the left, you’ll see that next to the rainforest, the temperate deciduous gets the second-most amount of rainfall per year. In the winter, precipitation (rainfall) is in the form of sleet, snow, and hail. The average rainfall is 30 to 60 inches per year. The average temperature of the forest is about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. How do deciduous trees and plants survive the changing seasons? Like all living things, deciduous trees and plants have special adaptations to stay alive. Summer is a busy time for deciduous trees. Their broad leaves capture energy from the sun and convert it to food by photosynthesis. Some of the food is used for growth and some is store
