Temperate Forest Habitats

Over the past couple of weeks my son and I have been learning about Temperate Forests.  We used this book "Temperate Forest Habitats" as our base of study.   We learned that temperate forests include both deciduous and coniferous forests.

Temperate forests are those that experience temperature fluctuations throughout the year.  They have a spring, summer, fall and winter.  

As you can see from this map, they are spread across the world, predominately in the northern hemisphere, but also in the southern hemisphere.

They have an abundance of wildlife which changes dependent upon the season.   Some animals and birds that live in these regions change their behaviour depending on the weather as well, some animals moving to warmer climes, others hibernating, still others change the colour of their coat.

Since it is winter in Canada we were able to look at the pros and cons to deciduous and coniferous trees.   Seeing how easily coniferous trees shed snow as opposed to deciduous trees.   It's been great to talk about how God planned for broad-leafed trees to lose their leaves in the winter to prevent water loss and reduce snow load.    It was interesting to extrapolate the knowledge that due to the shape of tree, if you are caught in a mixed tree forest in the winter, it is easy to build a shelter with snow and the trees branches, to make a hidey hole to wait out the bad weather.   (This brought to life some of the lessons Will learned in the Ranger's Apprentice).

This was an interesting book to read and provoked lots of comments from my boy and random discussions throughout our days.   I love reading non-fiction books with my lad and using the information we learn in informal discussions.    Makes the learning more natural and thus more easily remembered (at least one hopes so).  :)

If you would like to know more, here's a PDF on Temperate Forests.