The mixed forest is a type of forest, as the name implies, so they are plant formations in which trees predominate over other types of plants. In the specific case of the mixed, the predominant types of trees are both gymnosperms and angiosperms, so it combines the large broad leaf trees, dense and expires, with the conifers of perennial leaf. Regarding the animals found in this bioma, we can indicate the wolves, some bears and felines, among many others.
If you want to learn more about mixed forest, its characteristics and its flora and faunaaccompany us in this interesting article of Ecology Verde.
Mixed forest characteristics: Types and climate
As we have just defined, among the Main characteristics of the mixed forest It emphasizes that there are leaf trees both expires and perennial. In addition, it has a canopy, that is, an upper layer that reaches heights of between 25 and 45 meters, although in some areas there are mixed forests of less or greater height.
Different can be differentiated Mixed forest types Depending on the location in which they are. Are the following:
- Of transition with the taiga: These are located north of the United States, Canada and Europe. In those areas, the mixed forest makes transition between the deciduous temperate forests to the south, and the taiga to the north. In Asia it also occurs acting between the Monzonic Forest and the Taiga, and presents different characteristics and greater complexity, such as the presence of lianas. In this other article we talk about what the taiga and its characteristics are.
- Mixed temperate rain forest: These formations can be found in the south of New Zealand and in some parts of the east areas of Japan and China, as well as in southern Chile and northwest of the Pacific coast in North America. They show very high levels of moisture, with rainfall that are located above 8,500 mm per year.
- Mediterranean Mixed Forest: Located in the Mediterranean area of Europe and in the Middle East, these forests have adapted to the sometimes prolonged droughts of this climate in the warm months. Learn more about this and the Mediterranean climate itself in this other post about the Mediterranean forest: characteristics, flora and fauna.
- Mixed transition forest with Central American pines: They are located in Central America and Mexico, where the broad leaf perennial forest meets the Central American conifers.
- Of transition with araucarias and podocarpáceas: These can be found in Argentina and Chile, in addition to small extensions of New Zealand.
Mixed forest climate
We can find 3 main climates in this type of forests:
- Mediterranean climate: Here we find dry summers, with few rainfall and hot, and temperate and humid winters. The average temperature is around 20 ºC and transition stations tend to be warm or temperate.
- Oceanic climate: These are climates that are tempered by the proximity of the great masses of ocean water or the sea. They are characterized by high humidity, a temperature variation between attenuated day and night and average temperatures between 0 ºC and 22 ºC.
- Wet continental climate: Of the three climates, this is the one that reaches lower average temperatures, which can reach -10 ºC. It is a climate with rainfall throughout the season, in the form of rain in the warm months and snow in the cold.
Mixed forest flora
Given the big difference from the areas in which we can find these forests, the diversity of mixed forest plants It is also very big. Therefore, we must differentiate according to the main locations.
Regarding Gymnosperms plantsin the northern hemisphere we find, above all, members of the Pinaceae and Cupressaceae families. In Japan we see members of the Podocarpaceae and in California we cannot overlook the famous Sequoia Sempervirens or the Douglas fir. In the Mediterranean areas are the Pinus Sylvestris, the Juniperus Thrufera and the Pinus Nigra. In the southern hemisphere, the Podocarpaceae and Aracariaceae predominate. Here you can discover more about araucarias or coniferous trees: types, names and characteristics. In addition, to learn more about gymnosperms plants: what are, characteristics and examples, we invite you to read this other post.
Among the Angiospermas plants Diversity is even greater, so we mention some species according to their location.
North and central Europe and North America
- Quercus Robur
- Fagus Sylvatica
- Betula spp.
- Carpinus Betulus
Mediterranean area
- Quercus Pyrenaica
- Quercus suber
- Lentiscus pistacia
- Arbutus Unedo
South America
- Nothofagaceae
- Fagaceae
- Myrtaceae
Mixed forest flora in Asia
- Quercus acutissima
- Quercus Dentata
- Liquidambar Formosana
- Chinensis pistacia
- Japanese Castanea
- Albizia Macrophylla
Mixed forest plants in Oceania
- Nothofagaceae
- Atherosperma moschatum
- ACACIA MELANOXYLON
Expand your knowledge about these mixed forest plants by clicking on the link to this other ecology article about angiosperms plants: what are, characteristics and examples.
Mixed forest fauna
Again, given the great diversity of areas where these forests are located, it is necessary to distinguish according to them to be able to talk about the mixed forest animals. Even so, we can say that, in general, these forests house wolves (Canis lupus) and different species of felines and bears.
America
- Black bears
- Pumas
- Alces
- Canadian lynx
- Armadillos
- Hormigueros bears
- Patagonian Zorrinos
- Cuellinegros Swans
Mixed forest fauna in Europe
- European brown bear
- European Bisonte
- Iberian lynx
- Fox
- Wild boar
- Eastern Imperial Eagle
- Osprey
- European otter
Mixed forest animals in Asia
- Panda bear
- Other Asian bears
- Tigers
It should be noted that some subspecies of Tigers and Asian bears are disappearing from these biomes.
Africa
- Berber Leopard
- Berber macaque
- Berber deer
If you want to read more articles similar to Mixed forest: characteristics, flora and faunawe recommend that you enter our category of ecosystems.
