Discover Top Posts Tagged with #temperate rainforests

Avatar Grove, Port Renfrew, BC

Taken March 2026

#old growth forests #conifers #pacific northwest #temperate rainforests #moss #lichen #british columbia #vancouver island #canada #my photos #my places #uisv

Mastering the Monito del Monte

The Monito del Monte, also known as the colocolo opossum (Dromiciops gliroides) is a species of marsupial native to the central Andes mountains in Chile and western Argeninta. They are found exclusively in old-growth temperate rainforests, specifically those where southern beeches and Chilean bamboo are abundant. Despite their common name, they are not true opossums, but rather the only surviving member of the ancient order Microbiotheria.

Monito del Montes are almost entirely arboreal and nocturnal in nature. They are phenomenal climbers, thanks to their prehensile tails and large hands. They consume a variety of insects and fruits, particularly larvae, moths and butterflies, and mistletoe fruits. Despite their arboreal nature, they have a number of predators including grey foxes, Darwin's foxes, barn owls, and wild cats.

Colocolo opossums are monogamous, at least for the duration of the breeding season. Mating begins in late winter or spring spring, and continues from August to November. Females construct small nests lined with moss and Chilean bamboo high in the trees. After mating, gestation takes approximately 3-4 weeks. Up to 4 newborns then climb into their mother's pouch and attach themselves to their mother's teats. During this time, the mother remains active. Her young are weaned and leave the pouch after about 2 months, though they typically remain in the nest until late December. Juveniles become sexually mature at 2 years old; their full lifespan is unknown.

D. gliroides is a very small mammal; their snout-to-rump length is 8-13 cm (3.27 to 5.12 in), and the tail is the about same length as their body. Adults weigh between 16–42 g (0.56–1.48 oz); females tend to be larger than males. Both sexes are covered in brownish gray fur, white on the underside. They have very large eyes and ears, which helps them to navigate more effectively at night.

Conservation status: The Monito del Monte is considered Near Threatened by the IUCN. They are threatened primarily by habitat destruction, as they rely on stands of Chilean bamboo for their food and nests. They are also under increased predation pressure from introduced feral cats.

Photos

Roberto F. Nespolo

José Luis Bartheld

Vincente Valdez Guzman

#Monito del monte #Microbiotheria #Microbiotheriidae #marsupials #mammals #temperate rainforests #temperate rainforest mammals #mountains #mountain mammals #south america #western south america #southern south america #animal facts #biology #zoology #ecology

They once covered a fifth of Britain, now only tiny fragments remain. But plans are afoot to double the size of Britain’s rainforests

A new rainforest is taking shape in England, where volunteers have spent the winter transforming a barren field once used for grazing into a fledgling woodland.

Around 2,500 saplings have been planted at Bowden Pillars near the Devon market town Totnes, with a further 4,500 native trees due to go in the ground by the end of winter.

Temperate rainforests once covered swathes of the British Isles, but today only small, fragmented patches remain. As well as being vital carbon stores, temperate rainforests support an abundance of wildlife, including birds such as pied flycatchers, woodcock and redstarts.

The Bowden Pillars project is part of a nationwide rainforest restoration effort led by The Wildlife Trusts – a federation of conservation charities – in partnership with the insurance giant Aviva. Similar projects are taking place in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

“The mature temperate rainforest will take several decades to become established, but the gains for nature will be much swifter,” said Claire Inglis of the Devon Wildlife Trust. “It will be fascinating to see how it develops.”

#good news #Britain #rainforests #temperate rainforests #reforestation #forest restoration #environmentalism #science #environment #nature #conservation #climate change #climate crisis

Eastern North America's Temperate Rainforest

I have often remarked that working in the southern Appalachian Mountains during the summer feels more like working in a rainforest than it does an eastern deciduous forest. Lots of rain, high humidity, and a bewildering array of flora and fauna conjure up images of some far away jungle. Only winter can snap this view out of ones head. I recently learned, however, that these feelings are not misplaced. Indeed, this region of southern Appalachia is considered a temperate rainforest.

These mountains are old. They arose some 480 million years ago and have been shaping life in this region of North America ever since. Another thing these mountains are quite good at is creating their own weather systems. Here in southern Appalachia, warm, wet air from the Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic blows northward until it hits the Appalachian Mountains. The mountainous terrain comprising parts of Pisgah, Nantahala, and Chattahoochee National Forests has been referred to as "the Blue Wall" and is responsible for the unique conditions that created this temperate rainforest.

As this air rises over their peaks, it begins to cool. As it does, water in the air condenses. This results in torrents of rain. On average, this area receives anywhere from 60 to 100+ inches of rain every year. The Appalachian temperate rainforest is second only to the Pacific Northwest in terms of rainfall in North America. All of this water and heat coupled with the age and relative stability of this ecosystem over time has led to the explosion of biodiversity we know and love today.

Life abounds in the southern Apps. The plant diversity can be rather intimidating as species from the north mix with those coming up from the south. For instance, there are more tree species in these mountains than in all of Europe. Rates of endemism in these mountains, both in terms of flora and fauna, are remarkable. There are relics of bygone eras that never expanded their range following repeated glaciations. What's more, a multitude of species combinations can be found as you go from low to high elevations.

At lower elevation, forests are dominated by American beech (Fagus grandifolia), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), maple (Acer spp.), birch (Betula spp.), and oak (Quercus spp.). Magnolias cover the humid coves. Mid elevations boast birches, mountain ash (Sorbus americana), and mountain maple (Acer spicatum). High elevations contain fraser fir (Abies fraseri) and redspruce (Picea rubens). Both the understory and the the mountain balds are home to a staggering array of different Heaths (Ericaceae). From Rhododendrons to azaleas and mountain laurels, the colors are like those lifted from an abstract painting. The forest floor is where I focus most of my energy. It is hard to capture the diversity of this habitat in only a few paragraphs. What I can say is that I haven't even scratched the surface. It seems like there is something new to see around every corner.

The point I am trying to make is that this region is quite special. It is something worth protecting. From development to mining and changes in temperature and precipitation, human activities are exacting quite a toll on the Appalachian Mountains. The system is changing and there is no telling what the future is going to look like. Conserving wild places is a must. There is no way around it. Luckily there is a reason people love this place so very much. There are a lot of dedicated folks out there working to protect and conserve everything that makes southern Appalachia what it is. Get out there, enjoy, and support your local land trust!

Further Reading: [1]

#Appalachian temperate rainforest #Appalachian Mountains #biodiversity hotspot #Southern Appalachia #temperate rainforests

Ride Along with the Rough-skinned Newt

Found all along the western coast of North America, the rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa) is a species of newt known for its distinctive rough skin and the strong toxin it produces. Their native habitats include deciduous and evergreen forests, particularly those with wetlands, rivers, lakes, or lots of rainfall. This last environment accurately describes the temperate rainforests of the American Pacific Northwest and the Cascade Mountains, where the rough-skinned newt is especially common.

T. granulosa is very easily identifiable. It’s about medium size, measuring between 11 and 18 cm from tip to tail and weighing about 10-12g. The top of the rough-skinned newt can range from reddish-brown to olive, and the underside is a bright orange or yellow. True to their name, the skin is distinctly granular, although males will become smooth during the mating season. Some adults that live at higher elevations have retained their gills and are almost fully aquatic, but most rough-skinned newts breathe through their skin.

The mating season for rough-skinned newts usually begins in spring. Males and females will congregate around water sources, which some biologists think they find using celestial cues. Mating itself takes place underwater. Once a male finds a receptive female, he climbs on her back and grasps her tightly in a position known as amplexus. The two can stay this way for hours or even days, although the male must also often fend off competitors. In some extreme cases, a female can become so swarmed by males that she will drown. However, if breeding is successful the female will attach eggs one by one to submerged vegetation. The eggs hatch 3-4 weeks later and spend 4 or 5 months in an aquatic larval stage before transitioning into juvenile adults. They remain juveniles for another 4 or 5 years before becoming sexually mature and can live up to 18 years in the wild.

Rough skinned newts can be diurnal or nocturnal, depending on their location. They spend most of their time searching for food, mainly insects and other, smaller amphibians. Although as newts they are somewhat aquatic, T. granulosa spends most of its time on land, and is usually found under fallen logs or leaf litter. However, they have little fear of predators due to the strong toxin they secrete from their skin. When threatened an individual will emit a strong acrid smell and curl their heads and tails backward, exposing the bright underbelly as a warning. If ingested the rough-skinned newt’s toxin is potent enough to kill, though most predators know enough to stay away. There is one animal that has evolved a resistance to the toxin: the common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis). These two species are locked in an evolutionary arms race, in which the rough-skinned newt gradually grows more toxic and the garter snake becomes more resistant.

Conservation status: The IUCN has rated the rough-skinned newt as Least Concern, due to its large range and population. However, like many amphibians, T. granulosa is subject to habitat destruction and climate change.

Photos

Heidi Rockney

Gary Nafis

Stephen Hart

#rough-skinned newt #urodela #Salamandridae #pacific newts #newts #amphibians #deciduous forests #deciduous forest amphibians #temperate rainforests #temperate rainforest amphibians #mountains #mountain amphibians #wetlands #wetland amphibians #freshwater fauna #freshwater amphibians #north america #western north america

Canadian Ecosystem Shifts: Boreal Forests Turning to Temperate

The article Canadian Ecosystem Shifts: Boreal Forests Turning to Temperate examines the transformative changes occurring within the Canadian ecosystem, particularly the transition of boreal forests to temperate regions. Factors such as climate change play a significant role in this shift, impacting biodiversity and leading to ecosystem disturbances. Additionally, human activities further…

#Boreal Forests #Climate Change #Ecosystem Shift #Sustainable Practices #Temperate Rainforests