Question

This mid-latitude forest has a seasonal climate and is dominated by trees that change color in the fall, and drop their leaves in the winter. Which forest type is it?

a) Temperate rainforest
b) Tropical rainforest
c) Temperate deciduous forest
d) Boreal forest

Answer 1

The forest type with dominant deciduous trees that change color and lose leaves annually is known as a temperate deciduous forest. This biome has a seasonal climate, rich soil nutrients, and is common in mid-latitude regions of the world.

Step-by-step explanation:

The forest type described in the question is the temperate deciduous forest. These forests are characterized by a seasonal climate with moderate precipitation and temperatures that can range from around -30°C (-22°F) to 30°C (86°F). The dominant plant forms are deciduous trees, which change color in the fall and drop their leaves in the winter, leading to little photosynthesis during the dormant period. During spring, new foliage emerges in response to increasing temperatures. The rich soil nutrients in temperate forests are largely due to the thick layer of leaf litter that accumulates on the ground, providing not only nutrients as it decomposes but also protecting the soil from erosion and offering habitats for various invertebrates and predators.

Temperate deciduous forests are common in regions such as eastern North America, Western Europe, Eastern Asia, Chile, and New Zealand. These forests have a significant biodiversity, though less than that of tropical rainforests, and have soil that is rich in both inorganic and organic nutrients.