| While the temperate rainforest appears similar anywhere in its limited range, there are different tree species in different areas. For example, the Sitka spruce is one of the most abundant trees near the coast, but its range extends only 30 miles inland. This is because it needs a lot of moisture from the fog that often blankets coastal regions. Past this distance from the ocean, other species dominate the temperate rain forest. The wood of the Sitka spruce is valued for pulp and for this reason has been planted in commercial plantations far from its natural habitat of North America's west coast. |
The cones of the Sitka spruce tree are an especially important food source to crossbills and other birds. Its foliage, however, does not make a pleasant meal for any animals, since the needles are unusually sharp and prickly. The deer and elk which inhabit the temperate rainforest during the winter prefer to feed on the softer needles of Western hemlock and Western redcedar. These two conifers are very shade-tolerant, and grow very large, living for over 400 years. The wood of the Western redcedar is resistant to decay and is often used for shingles, boats, and other products that will be exposed to the weather. |
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Above: The temperate rainforests are moist enough that mosses and fungi often grow on the trunks of trees. Below: branches of the Western redcedar. Photos courtesy Al Walters.
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