Earth Biomes

Temperate Rain Forest (Marine West Coast Forest)

The temperate rain forest, or sometimes called the marine west coast forest, is known for its lush vegetation occurring along narrow margins of the Pacific Northwest in North America.  However, the temperate forest lacks the diversity that the tropical rain forest has. The rain forest of the Pacific Northwest is composed of a few species of broadleaf and needle leaf trees, huge ferns, and a thick undergrowth. Lying on the windward slopes of the Cascade and Coast Ranges, this forest receives over a hundred inches a year in marine west coast climate, as much precipitation as some tropical rain forests.

Figure 13.11  Marine West Coast forest of Redwoods National Park
Source: Michael Ritter

The temperate rain forest is home to some of the largest trees and oldest living organisms on earth - the coast redwoods. Exceeding 200 to 300 feet in height and having diameters over 20 feet, these trees can live well over a thousand years. The redwood forest floor is covered and epiphytes dangle from the trees. The cool and shady redwood forests of North America create a habitat for a variety of animals, including the northern spotted owl, Stellar's Jay, banana slugs, Pacific tree frog, and black bear.

Old growth forests of Douglas fir, spruce, cedar and hemlock have been devastated by logging. With only 10% of the original forest left, biodiversity loss is a great concern to ecologists.

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