Latitude is the main influence on the types of forest on Earth. This is because latitude directly impacts the amount of sun and rain the land receives. The further you are from the equator, the more surface area the sun needs to cover to reach the Earth’s poles. Sunlight and water are the two most major influences on all life, and especially on forests. This is why the forest environment around the poles is so vastly different than the environment at the equator. The three main types of forests found on Earth are: boreal, temperate, and rainforest.

Boreal Forest

Boreal forests are found the furthest from the equator between 50 and 60 degrees latitude. Boreal forest, also called “taiga”, is the world’s largest land biome. Yes, that’s right, boreal forests are much larger than even the rainforests combined, despite being so cold and only spanning across a few countries. Boreal forests make up about 30% of all forested land on Earth, and cover about 17% of Earth’s land surface area. These forests average temperatures of below freezing. Most of the humans who live in the boreal zone live in rural or remote areas. Many of the other animals who live here survive through either hibernation or migration during the coldest times of the year. Boreal forest is home to mainly needleleaf, coniferous trees with four main genera: the evergreen spruce (Picea), fir (Abies), and pine (Pinus), and the deciduous larch or tamarack (Larix). These trees are adapted to be cold resistant as well as fire-resistant. This is necessary to outlast the long, cold winters and survive the dry summers with frequent fires.

Temperate Forest

Temperate forests are found between boreal forests and rainforests between approximately 25 and 50 degrees latitude. Temperate forests are found across North America, Europe, and Asia. Temperate forests are unique because they are subject to all four seasons and vastly different weather depending on the time of year. Many species live in the temperate zone because it receives abundant rain and has the variety in climate to support them. Temperate forest makes up about 16% of all forested land on Earth. They are home to deciduous trees – trees that drop their leaves and become dormant during the colder months, and then thrive during a long growing season once sunlight increases again in the spring. The soil in temperate regions receives plenty of rain and is rich with organic matter.

Rainforest

Rainforests are the closest forest type to the equator. They are found on both sides of the equator between 0 and about 25 degrees latitude. Despite covering only about 6% of Earth’s land mass, rainforests make up roughly 50% of all species on Earth. This incredible biodiversity is due to relatively consistent warm temperatures and humidity. Rainforest may be incredibly diverse, but this also makes them incredibly competitive. Many species are able to flourish but must be constantly competing with each other for the same resources. Many trees have adapted with shallow roots, and quick growth. Rainforests are home to many parasitic species as well as many species of epiphytes – plants that grow on top of one another but are not parasitic. Many types of ferns, bromeliads, air plants, and orchids are examples of epiphytes. The largest flower in the world Rafflesia arnoldii, is actually a parasitic plant that grows on rainforest vines and draws all of its nutrients from its host.

Each type of forest is so unique and each type has its own magic and beauty. Which type of forest is your favorite?