There are two variants of the subtropical evergreen forest, the broadleaf evergreen and needleleaf subtropical forest. The subtropical broadleaf evergreen forest is found in New Zealand, southeastern Australia, and Southern Chile. Here, mild maritime air masses keep conditions moist enough to suppress any summer drought and provide temperatures warm enough to prevent a threat of frost. Small pockets of  broadleaf evergreen species like evergreen oak and magnolia, are found in the United States in Florida and along the Gulf Coast.

The subtropical needleleaf forest is found as a southern pine forest in the southeastern United States. The forest has developed on the sandy deposits along the fridge of the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. 

Figure 12. 27 Broadleaf evergreen forest,  New Zealand's South Island.
(Photo credit: T. Dewyler)

Temperate Rain Forest (Marine West Coast Forest)

The temperate rain forest, or sometimes known as the Marine West Coast forest, is known for its lush vegetation occurring along narrow margins of the Pacific Northwest in North America.  However, the temperate forest lacks the diversity that the tropical rain forest has. The rain forest of the Pacific Northwest is composed of a few species of broadleaf and needle leaf trees, huge ferns, and a thick undergrowth. Lying on the windward slopes of the Cascade and Coast Ranges, this forest receives over a hundred inches a year in marine west coast climate, as much precipitation as some tropical rain forests.

Figure 12.28  Redwood trees of the Temperate rain forest (Source: Michael Ritter)

The temperate rain forest is home to some of the largest trees and oldest living organisms on earth - the coastal redwoods. Exceeding 200 to 300 feet in height and having diameters over 20 feet, these trees can live well over a thousand years. The redwood forest floor is covered and epiphytes dangle from the trees. The cool and shady redwood forests of North America create a habiat for a variety of animals, including the northern spotted owl, Stellar's Jay, banana slugs, Pacific tree frog, and black bear.

Old growth forests of Douglas fir, spruce, cedar and hemlock have been devastated by logging. With only 10% of the original forest left, biodiversity loss is a great concern to ecologists.

Video taken in Redwoods National Forest, CA.
Source: Michael Ritter

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