Tropical Rainforest vs.

Temperate
Forest
Maha Al Attiyah
WORLD MAP
Tropical rainforest Temperate rainforest

average Precipitation:
● Varies, but can range from 6 to
Adaptations
33 cm (2 to 13 inches) per
month.
● Exhibits high and consistent
rainfall throughout the year.
Average Temperatures:
● Typically between 77-88°F
(25-31°C).
● Minimal seasonal temperature
fluctuations.
Climate of Rainforest
Epiphytic Adaptations:
● Many plants are epiphytes,
growing on other plants to
reach sunlight in the dense
canopy.
● Examples include orchids and
bromeliads.
Drip Tips:
● Leaves often have pointed tips
to facilitate water runoff and
prevent mold growth.
● Aids in coping with constant
rainfall.
Buttress Roots:
● Some trees have large,
above-ground roots (buttress
roots) for stability in shallow
soils.
● Helps support tall trees in
nutrient-poor soils.
overview:
● Tropical rainforests are
characterized by high biodiversity
and dense vegetation.
● Found including epiphytes and
lianas.
Wildlife:
● Hosts a wide array of animal ear
the equator in regions such as the
Amazon Basin and Congo.
Vegetation:
● Three main layers - canopy,
understory, and forest floor.
● Home to a variety of plant species,
species, from insects to large
mammals.
● Iconic species include jaguars,
toucans, and tree-dwelling
primates.
 Temperate Rainforest
Climate
● Average Precipitation:
● overview:
● Typically receives between
● Temperate rainforests are
15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches)
of rainfall per month. characterized by high rainfall
● Significant precipitation and moderate temperatures.
occurs throughout the year. ● Found in coastal regions, such
● Average Temperatures: as the Pacific Northwest in
● Ranges between 32-68°F North America and parts of
(0-20°C).
New Zealand.
● Generally milder
● Vegetation:
temperatures compared to
tropical rainforests. ● Dominated by coniferous trees
like Douglas fir, redwoods, and
cedar.
● Mosses and ferns cover the
forest floor.
● Wildlife:
● Home to a diverse range of
species, including bears, deer,
and various bird species.
needle-Like Leaves:
● Coniferous trees have
needle-like leaves that reduce
water loss through
transpiration.
● Helps trees conserve water
during wet and dry periods.
Cone Production:
● Conifers reproduce via cones,
protecting seeds from excess
moisture and promoting
efficient dispersal.
● Adaptation to the consistent
moisture in the environment.
Hibernate or Migrate:
● Some animal species, like bears,
hibernate during winter to
conserve energy.
● Others, like birds, may migrate
to warmer areas during colder
months.
Tropical rainforest food web
Producers:
Trees (e.g., Mahogany)
Epiphytes (e.g., Orchids)
Ferns and Mosses
Food Web (Simplified Representation):
Primary Consumers (Herbivores):
Howler Monkeys (Feeding on leaves and fruits)
Toucans (Feeding on fruits)
Leaf-Cutter Ants (Feeding on leaves)
Secondary Consumers (Carnivores/Omnivores):
Jaguars (Predatory mammals)
Boa Constrictors (Feeding on small mammals and birds)
Ocelots (Feeding on various small mammals)
Tertiary Consumers (Top Predators):
Harpy Eagles (Predatory birds)
Decomposers:
● Fungi (Breaking down organic matter)
● Bacteria (Decomposition of dead organisms)
Keystone Species:
● Keystone Plant: Figs (Important food source for
many animals)
● Keystone Animal: Capybara (Modifying plant
structures and supporting other species)
Trees produce fruits and leaves.
Epiphytes and ferns utilize tree branches for
support and sunlight.
Leaf-cutter ants consume leaves and bring them to
their nests.
● Arrows indicate the flow of energy and
biomass.
Howler monkeys consume leaves and fruits from
trees.
Toucans feed on fruits and disperse seeds.
Jaguars and Ocelots prey on herbivores like
monkeys and deer.
Boa constrictors consume small mammals and
birds.
Harpy eagles are top predators, preying on various
smaller animals.

Temperate rainforest foodweb
Producers:
Douglas Fir Trees
Western Red Cedar Trees
Sword Ferns
Lichen
Primary Consumers (Herbivores):
Black-tailed Deer (Feeding on leaves and plants)
Banana Slug (Feeding on decomposing plant material)
Squirrel (Feeding on nuts and seeds)
Secondary Consumers (Carnivores/Omnivores):
Black Bear (Feeding on fish, berries, and small mammals)
Bobcat (Feeding on small mammals and birds)
Spotted Owl (Feeding on small mammals and birds)
Tertiary Consumers (Top Predators):
Mountain Lion (Predatory mammal)
Decomposers:
● Fungi (Breaking down organic matter)
● Bacteria (Decomposition of dead organisms)
Keystone Species:
● Keystone Plant: Red Alder (Nitrogen-fixing,
enriching soil for other plants)
● Keystone Animal: Salmon (Bringing marine
nutrients to freshwater ecosystems)
Food Web (Simplified Representation):
Trees produce seeds, nuts, and leaves.
Ferns and lichen utilize tree branches and forest
floor for nutrients.
Deer feed on leaves, nuts, and young plant shoots.
● Arrows indicate the flow of energy and
biomass.
Banana slugs feed on decomposing plant material.
Squirrels consume nuts and seeds.
Black bear is an omnivore, feeding on fish, berries, and small
mammals.
Bobcat preys on small mammals and birds.
Spotted owl is a bird of prey, feeding on small mammals and
birds.
Mountain lion is a top predator, preying on various smaller
animals.

List of Organisms tropical
Herbivores:
Howler Monkeys (Alouatta spp.) - Animals
Leaf-Cutter Ants (Atta spp.) - Animals
Toucans (Ramphastidae spp.) - Animals
Sloth (Bradypus spp.) - Animals
Okapi (Okapia johnstoni) - Animals
Capuchin Monkeys (Cebus spp.) - Animals
Mara (Dolichotis spp.) - Animals
Tapir (Tapirus spp.) - Animals
Gorillas (Gorilla spp.) - Animals
Duiker (Cephalophus spp.) - Animals
Deer (Various species) - Animals
Epiphytes (e.g., Orchids) - Plants
Carnivores:
Jaguar (Panthera onca) - Animals
Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) - Animals
Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) - Animals
Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor) - Animals
Caiman (Caiman spp.) - Animals
Army Ants (Eciton spp.) - Animals
Tiger Beetle (Cicindelidae spp.) - Animals
Piranha (Serrasalmidae spp.) - Animals
Fungi (Various species) - Fungi
Omnivores:
Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) - Animals
Coati (Nasua spp.) - Animals
Agouti (Dasyprocta spp.) - Animals
Hornbill (Bucerotidae spp.) - Animals
Honey Possum (Tarsipes rostratus) - Animals
Orangutans (Pongo spp.) - Animals
Bacteria (Various species) - Bacteria
Decomposers:
Fungi (Various species) - Fungi
Bacteria (Various species) - Bacteria
List of Organisms temperate
Herbivores:
Black-tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) - Animals
Elk (Cervus canadensis) - Animals
Banana Slug (Ariolimax spp.) - Animals
Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus) - Animals
Moose (Alces alces) - Animals
Douglas Fir Trees (Pseudotsuga menziesii) - Plants
Western Red Cedar Trees (Thuja plicata) - Plants
Sword Ferns (Polystichum spp.) - Plants
Lichen (Various species) - Fungi
Omnivores:
Raccoon (Procyon lotor) - Animals
River Otter (Lontra canadensis) - Animals
Gray Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) - Animals
Humans (Homo sapiens) - Animals
Hornet (Vespa spp.) - Animals
Omnivorous Plants (e.g., Sundew) - Plants
Bacteria (Various species) - Bacteria

Carnivores: Decomposers:
Black Bear (Ursus americanus) - Animals Fungi (Various species) - Fungi
Bobcat (Lynx rufus) - Animals Bacteria (Various species) - Bacteria
Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis) - Animals
Mountain Lion (Puma concolor) - Animals
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) - Animals
Fisher (Pekania pennanti) - Animals
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) - Animals
Obligate Carnivorous Plants (e.g., Pitcher plants) - Plants
Beetles (Various species) - Animals
Pyramid tropical
Tropical Rainforest Energy Pyramid
Producer: Trees (e.g., Mahogany)
● Trees use sunlight to produce energy through photosynthesis.
Primary Consumer: Howler Monkeys (Alouatta spp.)
● Howler monkeys consume leaves and fruits from trees.
Secondary Consumer: Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja)
● Harpy eagles prey on howler monkeys.
Tertiary Consumer: Jaguar (Panthera onca)
● Jaguars are top predators, preying on harpy eagles.

Food Chain:
Trees (Producer)
Howler Monkeys (Primary Consumer)
Harpy Eagle (Secondary Consumer)
Jaguar (Tertiary Consumer)
Pyramid Temperate
Temperate Rainforest Energy Pyramid
Producer: Western Red Cedar Trees (Thuja plicata)
● Trees use sunlight to produce energy through photosynthesis.
Primary Consumer: Black-tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)
● Black-tailed deer feed on leaves and plants from the cedar trees.
Secondary Consumer: Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
● Bobcats prey on black-tailed deer.
Tertiary Consumer: Mountain Lion (Puma concolor)
● Mountain lions are top predators, preying on bobcats.

Food Chain:
Western Red Cedar Trees (Producer)
Black-tailed Deer (Primary Consumer)
Bobcat (Secondary Consumer)
Mountain Lion (Tertiary Consumer)
 Human Activity and Impact:
Deforestation:
Evaluation of Threats to Tropical Rainforests: Concerns tropical
● Activity: Clearing land for
Immediate Threats: Environmental Concerns and Conservation
agriculture, logging, and
infrastructure development.● Rapid deforestation for agriculture and logging poses
Efforts:
● Impact: Loss of biodiversity, an imminent danger to the integrity of the biome. Biodiversity Loss:
disruption of ecosystems, and
Long-term Threats:
release of stored carbon. ● Concern: Extinction of unique
Mining and Resource Extraction: ● Climate change represents a persistent threat,
● Activity: Exploitation of minerals and species.
resources. gradually altering the conditions in which tropical ● Conservation Effort: Establishing
● Impact: Habitat destruction, soil andrainforests have thrived.
water pollution. protected areas, promoting
Slash-and-Burn Agriculture: Cumulative Impact: sustainable land-use practices.
● Activity: Traditional farming method
● The combined effect of human activities, climate Indigenous Communities:
involving clearing land through
burning. change, and habitat fragmentation intensifies the ● Concern: Displacement and
● Impact: Soil degradation, loss of challenges faced by tropical rainforests.
biodiversity, and increased disruption of traditional lifestyles.
greenhouse gas emissions.Global Significance: ● Conservation Effort: Involving
● Tropical rainforests play a crucial role in global indigenous communities in
climate regulation and biodiversity conservation. conservation strategies, respecting
Predicted Effects of Climate Change:
Their decline poses risks beyond regional concerns. land rights.
Temperature Increase:
● Effect: Altered plant and animal distribution. Illegal Logging and Wildlife Trade:
● Impact: Shifts in species composition, affecting ecosystem dynamics. ● Concern: Unregulated activities
Changes in Precipitation Patterns: leading to habitat destruction and
● Effect: Altered water availability. wildlife trafficking.
● Impact: Disruption of water cycles, affecting plant and animal life. ● Conservation Effort: Strengthening
Increased Frequency of Extreme Weather Events: law enforcement, promoting
● Effect: More frequent storms, floods, and droughts. sustainable logging practices.
● Impact: Increased risk of habitat destruction, affecting species resilience.
 Concerns Temperate
Logging: Predicted Climate Change Effects:
● Harvesting timber for commercial purposes.
● Impact: Habitat destruction, soil erosion, ecosystem disruption. Temperature Shifts:
Urbanization: ● Changes in temperature affecting plant
● Expanding human settlements and infrastructure. and animal distribution.
● Impact: Habitat fragmentation, loss of biodiversity. Altered Precipitation:
Tourism Impact:
● High-impact tourism activities. ● Shifts in rainfall and snowfall patterns,
● Impact: Soil compaction, vegetation trampling, wildlife disturbance. influencing water availability.
Extreme Events:
servation Efforts: ● Increased frequency of storms, wildfires,
Biodiversity Conservation: and extreme weather events.
● Establishing protected areas, promoting sustainable forestry.
Watershed Protection: Threat Evaluation:
● Safeguarding healthy watersheds, regulating logging near water bodies.
Invasive Species Management: Logging Pressure:
● Monitoring and managing non-native species, habitat restoration. ● High demand for timber poses an
immediate threat.
Habitat Fragmentation:
● Urbanization leads to habitat loss and
fragmentation.
Climate Change Impact:
● Altered climate patterns and increased
weather extremes pose long-term risks.
Bibliography
Campbell, L. G., & Svenning, J. C. (2019). Conserving the World's Remaining Temperate Forests: A Range-wide View.
Bioscience, 69(6), 398-407.

Franklin, J. F., & Spies, T. A. (1991). Ecological Definitions of Old-Growth Douglas-fir Forests. Natural Areas Journal, 11(4),
280-286.

Lindenmayer, D. B., & Franklin, J. F. (2002). Conserving Forest Biodiversity: A Comprehensive Multiscaled Approach. Island
Press.

Noss, R. F. (1990). Indicators for Monitoring Biodiversity: A Hierarchical Approach. Conservation Biology, 4(4), 355-364.

Van Cleve, K., & Viereck, L. A. (1981). Forest Succession in Relation to nutrient cycling in the boreal forest of Alaska. The
Biological Basis of Forest Dynamics, 115-125.
5 things i have learned from this project
1. The project has taught me the significant impact of human activities, such as logging and urbanization, on the delicate balance
of these ecosystems, leading to habitat loss and biodiversity decline.

2. I've gained an understanding of how climate change is predicted to affect both tropical and temperate rainforests,
including shifts in temperature, precipitation patterns, and an increased frequency of extreme weather events.
3. The importance of conservation efforts, like creating protected areas and involving local communities, became clear
as ways to safeguard these unique environments.
4. Exploring food webs taught me how interconnected species are in these rainforests. The well-being of one species often relies
on the health of others, emphasizing the need to protect entire ecosystems.

5. I discovered that both tropical and temperate rainforests are home to a vast array of plants and animals, showcasing
the incredible diversity of life in these ecosystems.