What is a temperate deciduous forest?

Temperate deciduous forests are found in mid-latitude areas and experience both warm and cold air masses. This causes them to have four distinct seasons each year.

Temperate deciduous forests are found in the eastern United States, Canada, China, Japan and Europe. The temperature range is -22 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit with a yearly average of about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. These forests are exposed to precipitation and will experience leaf changes that occur from autumn to the following spring. Trees in these forests tend to have thick bark and will go into a period of dormancy to survive the relatively cold winters.