Habitat Profile: Temperate Deciduous Forest

Temperate Deciduous Forests occur in mid-latitudes (50–70°F annual mean). Signature traits:

• Trees – Broadleaf species (oak, maple, hickory, beech) shed leaves in autumn.
• Wildlife – Deer, squirrels, raccoons, foxes; birds (woodpeckers, cardinals, jays); reptiles, amphibians, insects.
• Distribution – Eastern North America, Europe, East Asia.

These forests provide timber, carbon storage, recreation, and biodiversity.