The term deciduous forest is used to describe a type of forest in which the dominant species of trees and other woody vegetation that make up the forest are the species that lose their leaves during the cold months of the year and grow in the spring, in time for the growing season.
Deciduous forests occur in several regions around the world, including eastern North America, the British Isles, Europe, New Zealand, eastern Australia, and northeast Asia. These regions, although they share diverse, some of the characteristics. All experience seasonal changes in temperature and precipitation. As a consequence, trees found in deciduous forests are specially adapted to withstand these environmental changes throughout the year.
Tree species that occur in deciduous forests vary by region, but usually include species such as oak, beech, elm, walnut, sweet gum, linden, maple, chestnut, and walnut. Deciduous forests grow in areas where rainfall is sufficient to support tree growth.
Deciduous forests are well suited to cope with the extremes of temperate regions. After losing the leaves in winter (when it is increasingly limited by the harshness of the climate), the trees enter a period of dormancy until the warmer weather and growing season returns, once again underway.
Authors: Val
