Temperate climate

In geography, temperate or tepid latitudes of Earth lie between the tropics and the polar regions. The temperatures in these regions are generally relatively moderate, rather than extremely hot or cold, and the changes between summer and winter are also usually moderate.

However, in certain areas, such as Asia and central North America, the variations between summer and winter can be extreme because these areas are far away from the sea, causing them to have a continental climate. In regions traditionally considered tropical, localities at high altitudes (e.g. parts of the Andes) may have a temperate climate.

Zones and climate

The north temperate zone extends from the Tropic of Cancer (approximately 23.5° north latitude) to the Arctic Circle (approximately 66.5° north latitude). The south temperate zone extends from the Tropic of Capricorn (approximately 23.5° south latitude) to the Antarctic Circle (at approximately 66.5° south latitude). The cooler or warmer parts of the temperate zone may be referred to as 'subtemperate'.

Temperate forest

Temperate forests correspond to forest concentration formed in the northern and southern hemisphere, or in temperate regions. Main characteristics include: wide leaves, large and tall trees and non seasonal vegetation. Temperate forests can be further distinguished by weather patterns and geographical features that favor the predominance of certain kinds of trees. In temperate coniferous forests, evergreen conifers predominate, while in temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, a more even distribution exists between evergreen and deciduous trees. Temperate deciduous forests, a subgroup of temperate broadleaf forests, consist of trees that lose their leaves every year. Finally, temperate rainforests typically have heavy rainfall and dense humidity.

In the temperate region, winters are mild and rainfall is moderate.The forests have trees, shrubs and bushes.There is less undergrowth. Most of the trees are deciduous, which shed their leaves during the autumn. In some areas, the deciduous trees are replaced by coniferous trees. The main trees found in these forests are the great redwood, oak, ash, maple, birch, beech, poplar, elm and pine. In many areas, forests have been cleared to make way for cultivation. Hardwood evergreen trees which are widely spaced and are found in the Mediterranean region are olive, cork, oak, and stone pine. Temperate rain forests tend to get a high of 350cm of percipitation yearly, and a low of 200cm yearly on average.