Habitats Rainforests
Rainforests
Rainforests
B.C.’s Complex Coastal Ecosystem
Introduction
When we think of rainforests, broad-leafed plants and animals like monkeys, giant snakes, brightly-coloured frogs come to mind. We have a different type of rainforest in British Columbia—the coastal temperate rainforest.
These activities introduce the main animals and plants and the primary characteristics of our coastal temperate rainforest.
Objectives
- describe the characteristics of a coastal temperate rainforest.
- describe the basic needs of plants and animals in a coastal temperate rainforest.
- describe the characteristics of old growth trees.
Background
British Columbia’s coastal temperate rainforest is home to some of the largest trees in the world. The animals in this ecosystem over are adapted to the moist climate. The trees of the coastal rainforest use the 250cm of annual rainfall and can live to be hundreds of years old (old growth trees), and grow to be approximately 90 metres tall. BC’s coastal rainforest is dominated by coniferous trees, which makes it different from other temperate rainforests.
Common coastal temperate rainforest plants include:
- western red cedar
- western hemlock
- sitka spruce
- grand fir
- sword fern
- deer fern
- salal
- evergreen huckleberry
Common coastal temperate rainforest animals include:
- salamander
- raccoon
- banana slug
- crow
- black bear
- deer
- wolf
- cougar
- squirrel
- bald eagle
- bat
In a temperate rainforest, the forest floor is primarily made up of dead and decaying forest parts. This provides a rich nutrient base for new plants to grow in.
These forests are very complex and have a high coniferous canopy, a thick bushy understory, and extensive groundcover. These different layers in a rainforest are similar to the different floors in a sky scraper/condo tower. Some people choose to live on the bottom floor, while other people like to live higher up. Each person likes to live in different areas for different reasons. Animals are like this too.
Entire Lesson
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Other Resources
Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre
Scientist in Residence - Temperate Rainforests
Stanley Park Ecology Society
Bloedel Conservatory:
Going Wild! Teaching about Wild Products from BC’s Coastal Rainforests
Schools for a Living Planet – Forests Alive
need to be specific!!!!
just sayin