Final answer:
In the temperate forest, both flora and fauna require adaptations to survive, but the flora shows particularly crucial adaptations due to seasonal changes and competition for sunlight. The red-backed salamander is an example of fauna that has adapted well to this environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the temperate forest, both flora and fauna require significant adaptations to survive, but plants, or the flora, show adaptations that are particularly crucial due to the marked seasonal changes and competition for sunlight created by the dominant deciduous trees. Deciduous trees are the main contributors to the biome's character, undergoing a period of dormancy in winter during which they do not photosynthesize and lose their leaves, resulting in a leaf litter that enriches the soil with nutrients and provides a habitat for various invertebrates. As an example of fauna adaptation, the red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus) exhibits adaptations to this environment, such as a moist skin for respiration in the leaf litter and a coloration that provides camouflage.