TEMPERATE RAINFORESTS

Temperate Rainforests

Temperate rainforests are a rare and biologically rich forest type found in coastal regions with high rainfall and mild temperatures. Unlike tropical rainforests, which thrive in equatorial regions, temperate rainforests exist in cooler climates at higher latitudes. They receive abundant precipitation—typically over 80 inches (2,000 mm) per year—often from persistent fog and drizzle rather than heavy downpours. These forests are characterized by towering evergreen trees, dense understory vegetation, and an abundance of mosses, ferns, and lichens.

Temperate rainforests are globally scarce, covering less than one percent of the Earth's surface. They are primarily found along the Pacific coasts of North and South America, parts of New Zealand and Australia, as well as pockets in Japan, the United Kingdom, and Norway. The largest contiguous temperate rainforest stretches from northern California through Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and into southeastern Alaska.

Characteristics and Ecology

Temperate rainforests support some of the world's tallest and oldest trees. Conifers such as Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, western hemlock, and redwoods dominate North America's temperate rainforests, while species like eucalyptus, southern beech, and kauri trees define those in the Southern Hemisphere. Many of these trees can grow over 300 feet (90 meters) tall and live for centuries, with some exceeding 1,000 years in age.

The forest floor is blanketed in thick moss, fallen logs, and decomposing plant material that provides rich nutrients for new growth. Epiphytes, including ferns and lichens, cling to trees, absorbing moisture from the humid air. Many temperate rainforests also feature nurse logs—fallen trees that serve as fertile ground for seedlings, a crucial part of forest regeneration.

These ecosystems support a wide variety of wildlife. In North America, species such as black bears, Roosevelt elk, cougars, and northern spotted owls rely on temperate rainforests for habitat. In the southern hemisphere, marsupials like possums and tree kangaroos inhabit these forests. Many rivers and streams flowing through temperate rainforests are spawning grounds for salmon, which in turn provide a vital food source for bears, eagles, and other predators.

Lowland vs. Montane Temperate Rainforests

Like tropical rainforests, temperate rainforests vary in elevation and structure:

• Lowland temperate rainforests grow closer to sea level and feature the tallest trees due to deeper, more fertile soils and a milder climate.
• Montane temperate rainforests exist at higher elevations, where cooler temperatures and thinner soils result in shorter trees, more stunted growth, and a greater presence of mosses and lichens.

Threats to Temperate Rainforests

Despite their ecological importance, temperate rainforests are highly threatened by logging, development, and climate change. These forests have historically been heavily exploited for timber due to the high value of their slow-growing trees. Old-growth forests, which contain the largest and most ancient trees, have been especially impacted.

In regions like the Pacific Northwest, industrial logging has dramatically reduced the extent of pristine temperate rainforest. Many areas have been converted into tree plantations that lack the biodiversity of primary forests. In South America, the temperate rainforests of Chile and Argentina face deforestation for agriculture and hydropower projects.

Climate change also poses a growing threat to temperate rainforests. Rising temperatures may alter rainfall patterns, increasing drought stress and reducing fog moisture, a key water source for some of these ecosystems. Additionally, warming conditions can enable invasive species and pests to spread, further disrupting these forests.

Conservation Efforts

Conservation efforts have helped protect some of the world’s last remaining temperate rainforests. Large sections of Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, the Great Bear Rainforest in Canada, and parts of New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park are now under some level of protection. However, many forests remain vulnerable to deforestation and require ongoing conservation advocacy.

Organizations and governments continue to push for sustainable forestry practices, such as selective logging and reforestation efforts, to balance economic needs with environmental preservation. Local communities and Indigenous groups also play a key role in conservation, advocating for sustainable land management practices and legal protections for their ancestral forests.

As climate change accelerates and resource extraction pressures grow, the conservation of temperate rainforests remains a pressing global challenge. Protecting these ancient ecosystems not only preserves their remarkable biodiversity but also helps regulate global carbon cycles, providing a natural buffer against climate change.