Where Deciduous Forests are located
Deciduous forests are found near eastern North America, eastern Paraguay and southern Chile. Deciduous forest are also found in eastern China, southeastern Australia, southwestern Russia, and Japan. Over the year the climate in the deciduous forest ranges from cold with in the form of snow, to hot, with in the form of rain. The temperate: deciduous forest biome has four main seasons: winter, spring, summer and fall. Animals and plants in this forest have special adaptations to survive with these yearly changes.
The winters tend to get very cold and the animals in the forest either hibernate or migrate to warmer places. As the seasons change, so do the colors of the leaves of the deciduous trees. Since sunlight and water are limited during winter, the leaves can not produce chlorophyll (green pigment in leaves), causing them to change into red, yellow and orange colors.
While many deciduous forest birds prefer to migrate in this cold seasons, others, like mammals and reptiles, prefer hibernation. Several animals like squirrels and chipmunks store food such as seeds and nuts for winter. Spring is the best time because animals come out of hibernation, and the trees turn green.
Unlike rainforests, lush green vegetation is not abundant in deciduous forests. What makes deciduous forests stand out are the tall trees, flowers, and colorful leaves. With a lot of grass, trees, and water streams, the forest is a perfect place for a good temperate ecosystem. Even though most of the animals in this biome are not endangered, deciduous forests in general are facing major deforestation. It is in our hands to make sure that the animals that suffer in these forests are safe and sheltered in their natural habitat before it is too late.