N
ew Zealand Temperate Forests [66] – New Zealand
Geographic Location: The southern island of New Zealand
Biodiversity Features: The temperate forests of New Zealand's South Island are some of the last remaining areas of native vegetation in the country. The Banks Peninsula, once a separate island, contains a high number of endemic invertebrates and type localities. One of only five major temperate rainforests in the world with a highly distinctive biota, one of only three major Southern Beech (Nothofagus sp.) FORESTS in the world
Selected Species: Many unusual plant and animals occur here including speargrasses (Aciphyllas spp.), pigeonwood or Prokaiwhiri (Hedycarya arborea), the flightless takahe (Porphyrio mantelli), Fiordland crested penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus), and the cold-adapted kea parrot (Nestor notabilis).
General Threats: Threats include overhunting, logging, conversion of lands for agriculture, burning, species introductions, and tourism.
Indo-Malayan
E
astern Himalayan Broadleaf and Conifer Forests [67] – Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal
Geographic Location: Mountains north of India
Biodiversity Features: Forests that extend from the northern Indian plains to the middle elevations of the Himalayas at 4000 m containing a diverse assemblage of plants and animals. A wide range of bioclimatic zones and physiographically complex landscapes support many species. Distinctive and rich temperate forests of southern Asia
Selected Species: One primate species, the highly endangered golden langur (Presbytis bieti), is endemic to the forests of Yunnan, China, in the extreme eastern part of this region. Other significant mammal species include lesser panda (Ailurus fulgens), the goat antelope called takin (Budorcas taxicolor), Hodgson's flying squirrel (Petaurista magnificus), the barking deer Gongshan muntjac (Muntiacus gongshanensis), Peters' tube-nosed bat (Murina grisea), clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), and Himalayan black bear (Selenarctos thibetanus). Endangered endemic plants include many orchid species such as Cymbidium whiteae, Paphiopedilum fairrieanum, P. wardii, the maple species Accer oblongumand, Acer hookeri, and many other species. These forests consistute an important endemic bird area and support a high diversity of bird species including Blyth's tragopan (Tragopan blythi), Himalayan quail (Ophrysia superciliosa), Brooks' leaf-warbler (Phylloscopus subviridis), Tytler's leaf-warbler (Phylloscopus tytleri), Kashmir flycatcher (Ficedula subrubra), and white-cheeked tit (Aegithalos leucogenys).
Other birds characteristic of this ecoregion include the laughing thrushes (Garrulax spp.) of which there are several dozen species resident in the Eastern Himalaya, as well as other members of the babbler family (Timiliidae) such as the parrotbills Paradoxornis spp., the scimitar babblers Pomatorhinus spp.and, rufous-throated wren-babbler (Spelaeornis caudatus).
General Threats: Conversion of forest to agriculture land and exploitation of forests for timber, fodder and fuelwood are some of the main threats to biodiversity in this region. In some areas, fuelwood collection for use by trekkers and mountaineers contributes to forest degradation. Additional threats to these forests include charcoal production in some low elevation areas and intensive grazing at higher elevations. In the subalpinezone, above 3000 m, forests are slow to regenerate, a situation that makes them especially susceptible to degradation.
W
estern Himalayan Temperate Forests [68] – Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Pakistan
Geographic Location: Mountains north of India
Biodiversity Features: The middle elevation forests of the Western Himalayas, including places such as the Palas Valley of Pakistan, contain numerous plant species found nowhere else on Earth. The Palas Valley is the most floristically rich area in Pakistan. Some of the world’s richest temperate montane plant communities, including the best example of south temperate montane forests in southern Asia occur in this region. Due to the Continental climate and a mediterranean influence to temper the effects of the south asian monsoon, this region is floristically quite distinct from the eastern Himalayas
Selected Species: Characteristic plant species include the conifers blue pine (Pinus wallichiana), spruce (Picea smithiana), yew (Taxus wallichiana), fir (Abies pindrow), and subalpine broadleaved species such as birch (Betula utilis), and rhododendron (Rhododendron campanulatum). Endangered endemic plant species include the shrubs Lactuca undulata and Berberis lambertii. Some, such as Dipcadi reidii, are already extinct. Mammals include the endangered snow leopard (Panthera pardus), which is severely threatened in this region by hunting, and its prey species, blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur).
General Threats: Remaining forests are threatened by increasing logging, conversion for agriculture, and fuelwood collection. Hunting is a popular activity in Pakistan and many people own guns.
Neartic
A
ppalachian and Mixed Mesophytic Forests [69] – United States
Geographic Location: Eastern North America
Biodiversity Features: This relatively small ecoregion contains a remarkable overlapping of forest habitats, some of which are rare. This single mountain range, one of the oldest on Earth, encompasses almost every forest type that occurs in the eastern half of North America, from mixed deciduous forests in the lowlands to spruce-fir forests, similar to the boreal forests a thousand miles to the north. This is a globally outstanding area for biological diversity, and is especially rich in reptiles, amphibians, and birds. One of the two richest temperate broadleaf forests on Earth with high endemism
Selected Species: This ecoregion is home to over 30 species of salamanders, predominantly within the Plethodontidae, including a number of endemics: the Black Mountain salamander (Desmognathus welten), southern dusky salamander (D. auriculatus), Jordan’s salamander (P. jordani), and Cheat Mountain salamander (P. nettingi). Two reptiles are restricted to habitats in this ecoregion; they are the flattened musk turtle (Sternotherus depressus) and Alabama map turtle (Graptemys pulchra). Among the birds utilizing diverse habitats are the black-throated green warbler (Dendroica virens) and yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus), plus wider-ranging species such as the yellow-throated vireo (Vireo flavifrons), red-eyed vireo (V. olivaceus), black-throated blue warbler (Dendroica caerulescens), and northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). Tree species include tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), red spruce (Picea rubens), numerous oak species (Quercus spp.), the endemic Fraser fir (Abies fraseri), balsam fir (A. balsamea), and Allegheny plum (Prunus alleghaniensis). Mammals such as the fisher (Martes pennanti) also roam these forests.
General Threats: Extensive loss of habitat from several centuries of logging and clearing for agriculture and development has impacted the region’s biota. Continued threat from acid rain deposition and air pollution is also a problem here. Introduction of a nonnative fungus has all but eliminated the once dominant American chestnut tree (Castanea dentata).
Palearctic
S
outhwest China Temperate Forests [70] – China
Geographic Location: Central China to the south of the Yellow River
Biodiversity Features: This ecoregion includes temperate forests that extend eastward from the Hengduan Mountains, across northern Sichuan and Sha’anxi Provinces of south-central China. The low hills in this part of China include potential habitat for the endangered giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). They also include one of the richest assemblages of temperate forest trees in the world. These forests support many other rare species as well, many of which are endemic. One of the richest temperate Broadleaved and Mixed forests in the world with high endemism and unusual biogeographic patterns
Selected Species: The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is the best-known species found here, inhabiting middle elevation forests that support a dense understory of bamboo. Today most of the giant pandas that survive in the wild occur in the Minshan mountain region to the west, but the temperate forests of this region also support good panda habitat.
Golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus), copper pheasant (C. amherstiae), Temminck’s tragopan (Tragopan temminkii), and Reeve’s long-tailed pheasant (Syrmaticus reevesi) are among the endemic species found in this ecoregion. Wider-ranging animals include tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus), Chinese muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi), and the vulnerable clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa).
General Threats: The principle threats to this ecoregion include expanding agriculture and increasing demand for timber, both associated with a growing human population. Over the past two decades, China’s transition to a market economy has increased demand for non-timber forest and wildlife products for medicinal and other uses.
R
ussian Far East Broadleaf and Mixed Forests [71] – Russia
Geographic Location: The southeastern Pacific Coast of Russia
Biodiversity Features: This region represents a unique ecological mixture of Russian boreal with Manchurian temperate flora and fauna. Compared to other temperate ecosystems, the level of endemism in plants and invertebrates in the region is extraordinarily high. It is a critical area for the conservation of tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) and leopards (Panthera pardus). The Russian Far East contains the most intact habitat for Manchurian species since adjacent forests in China, Japan and Korea have suffered from more intense human population and activity. One of most distinctive ASSEMBLAGES OF SPECIES IN temperate broadleaf forests ANYWHERE, AND HOME OF THE AMUR TIGER AND LEOPARD.
Selected Species: Disjunct populations of Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), and Amur leopard (Panthera pardus) require urgent conservation measures. Prey species include several ungulates such as Manchurian red deer (Cervus elaphus xanthopygos), Musk deer (Moschus moschiferus), Sika deer (Cervus nippon) and cliff-dwelling Amur goral (Nemorhaedus caudatus). The coexistence of both brown bears (Ursos arctos) and Asiatic black bears (U. tibethanus) illustrate the overlap of boreal and temperate Asian habitats. Rare birds include the Chinese merganser (Mergus squamatus), mandarin duck (Aix galericulata), Siberian spruce grouse (Falcipennis falcipennis), and Blakiston's fish owl (Ketupa blakistoni).
General Threats: Conversion to agriculture, deforestation, poaching, urban expansion, mining, and pollution pose serious threats to the ecoregion.
Temperate Coniferous Forests
Forests experiencing periods of seasonal drought, or generally low levels of precipitation during a portion of the year in temperate regions are characterized by conifer species: pine (Pinus spp.), fir (Abies spp.), and spruce (Picea spp.). Temperate Coniferous Forests occur in the montane regions of western North America, Central Europe, and Asia as well as in areas—such as the pine forests of the southeastern United States—where sandy, nutrient poor soils do not favor hard wood species. Finally, a number of other regions support forests that receive particularly high levels of rainfall that coincide with mild winter temperatures. In the summer relatively cool temperatures result in fog belts that continue to bath the trees with moisture. Together, this combination results in the high levels of productivity associated with temperate rain forests.
Structurally, these forests are rather simple, consisting of two layers generally: an overstory and understory. However, some forests may support a layer of shrubs. Pine forests support an herbaceous groundlayer that may be dominated by grasses and forbs that lend themselves to ecologically important wildfires. In contrast, the moist conditions found in temperate rain forests favor the dominance by ferns and some forbs.
Nearctic
P
acific Temperate Rainforests [72] – Canada, United States
Geographic Location: West Coast of North America
Biodiversity Features: This ecoregion contains one of the few significant temperate rainforests on Earth. The ecosystems here support a rich diversity of life, including such dramatic species as the redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). One of only FIVE temperate rainforests on Earth, also one of the richest with high levels of local endemism in some areas, the only temperate rainforest of North AMerica
Selected Species: Species include Pacific giant salamander (Dicamptodon ensatus), marbled murrelet (Brachyrampus marmoratus), Olympic salamander (Rhyacotriton olympicus), red-backed vole (Cletherionomys californicus), red bat (Lasiuris borealis), spotted owl (Strix occidentalis), and the ferocious folding-trap door spider (Antrodiaetus pugnax). Characteristic tree species include Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), yellow cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis), western red cedar (Thuja plicata), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii).
General Threats: Intensive commercial logging has destroyed most of the native forests of this ecoregion.
K
lamath-Siskiyou Coniferous Forests [73] – United States
Geographic Location: West Coast of North America
Biodiversity Features: The Klamath-Siskiyou ecoregion is considered a global center of biodiversity because it harbors one of the three richest temperate coniferous forests in the world (along with the Southeastern Conifer forests of North America and the forests of the Primorye region of the Russian Far East). The region escaped extensive glaciation during recent ice ages, thereby providing a refuge for numerous species and providing long periods of relatively favorable conditions enabling species to adapt to specialized conditions. The world’s richest temperate conifer forests for many taxa with high levels of ecoregional and local endemism
Selected Species: Endemic plant species include the cobra lily (Darlingtonia californica), Port Orford cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana), and Modoc cypress (Cupressus bakeri). Among the other more widespread conifers found here are incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), western red cedar (Thuja plicata), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), mountain hemlock (T. mertensiana), noble fir (Abies procera), and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). This ecoregion is also home to the endemic Siskiyou mountain salamander (Plethodon stormi). Other species representative of the diverse herptofauna include the Del Norte salamander (P. elongatus), clouded salamander (Aneides ferreus), the threatened foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii), western skink (Eumeces skiltonianus), sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus graciosus), and California whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis).
General Threats: Intensive commercial logging and roadbuilding threaten the unique biodiversity of this region.
S
ierra Nevada Coniferous Forests [74] – United States
Geographic Location: Western North America
Biodiversity Features: The Sierra Nevada conifer forests are home to the largest trees on Earth, the giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron gigantea), which can grow to 80 m in height and 11 m in diameter and weigh nearly 2,000,000 kg. This ecoregion also supports globally rich conifer forests and diverse amphibian communities. Continentally distinctive temperate conifer forests with significant endemism and globally rich conifer communities
Selected Species: Unique species include the world’s largest tree, the giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron gigantea) as well as the white headed woodpecker (Picoides albolarvatus), the Sierra green sulfur butterfly (Colias behrii), Yosemite toad (Bufo canorus), Mount Lyell salamander (Hydromantes platycephalus), and the threatened limestone salamander (H. brunus). Other species characteristic of these habitats includes Clark’s nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana), mountain lion (Felis concolor), sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana), and ponderosa pine (P. ponderosa).
General Threats: Intensive commercial logging and urban expansion seriously threaten the native habitats of the ecoregion.
S
outheastern Coniferous and Broadleaf Forests [75] – United States
Geographic Location: Southeastern North America
Biodiversity Features: The largest conifer forest ecoregion east of the Mississippi River, the Southeastern Conifer Forests span the coastal plain of the southeastern United States. The biological diversity of this ecoregion is virtually unparalleled in temperate North America. Tree diversity and endemism is the highest of any ecoregion in the United States, totaling 190 species with 27 endemics. The long-leaf pine wiregrass communities support one of the richest herbaceous floras in the world. One of the most outstanding examples of temperate conifer forests in eastern North America, the richest temperate herbaceous flora in the world
Selected Species: These forests were once dominated by tall stands of long-leaf pine (Pinus palustris), an understory of wiregrass (Aristida stricta), and a rich diversity of herbaceous plants. Components of this important fauna include the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), the mole skink (Eumeces egregius), the eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais), and the Apalachicola dusky salamander (Desmognathus apalachicolae).
General Threats: As a result of extensive habitat loss and degradation, many species that occur in this region, including many of those native to long-leaf pine forests are now endangered. Historically, intensive logging and clearance have destroyed the majority of native communities in the ecoregion. In many areas, the suppression of the natural fire regime has resulted in the conversion of conifer stands to stands of hardwood species. Urban sprawl and development continue to threaten other areas of intact habitat. If action is not taken to protect the few remaining blocks, this valuable ecoregion may not exist for much longer.
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