1. Temperate Rainforest in the Pacific Northwest
Temperate rainforests are areas of forest that receive high amounts of rainfall, but in areas with moderate temperatures (not in the tropics).

2. A unique place on Earth - location
Teacher Note:
Introduce the topic of temperate rainforests, show where they are found around the world and then introduce the location of the Pacific Northwest, USA.
Ask students what type of species they would expect to find in the Pacific Northwest temperate rainforests. Examples include: brown bears, orcas, bald eagles, and fir trees. Based on the animals mentioned, students should recognize that the region is a coastal region.
Background on Pacific Northwest Temperate Rainforest:
The Pacific temperate rainforests are one of only 7 temperate rainforest ecosystems on the planet, and the only one in North America. The Pacific temperate rainforests lie along the western side of the Pacific Coast Ranges along the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America, extending from the Prince William Sound in Alaska, through the British Columbia Coast, and down to Northern California.
For a more global perspective, see Slide 6.

3. Temperature comparison
High temperatures
24°C/75°F
Pacific Northwest
Rainforest
48°C/119°F
Mojave Desert
Teacher Note: Compare temperatures of the Pacific Northwest rainforest to where you are. What’s the highest/lowest temperature in your area? What do you notice? How is this different/similar from the Pacific Northwest?
Background Information:
The combination of mild temperatures year round and high rainfalls make the temperate rainforests unique. The Pacific temperate rainforests are characterized by a high amount of rainfall, in some areas more than 300 cm (120 inches) per year, and moderate temperatures in both the summer and winter months. In the summer, the temperature stays below 24°C (75°F) and stays above freezing in the winter.
Low temperatures
4°C/40°F
Pacific Northwest
Rainforest
-13°C/8°F
Mojave Desert

4. Rainfall comparison 42 inches New York City 25 inches Paris, France
Teacher Note: Compare temperatures and precipitation of the Pacific Northwest to where you are. How much does it rain/snow in your area? What’s the rainfall like? How is this different/similar from the Pacific Northwest?
What kind of an impact does this climate have on vegetation and the animals that live there? Use questions such as these to help students better understand how abiotic factors such as climate have an impact on an ecosystem. If students struggle to get started, you could use the images of the rainforest included in this PowerPoint to start discussing what the students notice in the vegetation and how it differs to the kind of forests/landscapes they are used to.
Background Information:
The Pacific temperate rainforests are characterized by a high amount of rainfall, in some areas more than 300 cm (120 inches) per year and moderate temperatures in both the summer and winter months (between 10-24°C). The limited annual temperature range and abundant precipitation allows the growth of lush vegetation and large trees.
120 inches
Pacific Northwest
Rainforest
5 inches
Mojave Desert

5. Some of the amazing species found there
Prickly shark
Brown bear
Spotted owl
Teacher Note:
These next slides introduce students to the flora and fauna of the Pacific Northwest. The species featured on this slide show the range of flora and fauna that is found in the Pacific Northwest. You may wish to include other (more) species but it is suggested to cover representatives of flora and fauna, as well as representing the different animal kingdoms.
Background Information:
The species listed on this slide are only a small sample of species that live in the Pacific Northwest. Conservation measures within the forest have protected some of the species’ habitats. As a result, some of those species maintain a healthy population only in the Pacific Northwest but are extinct or on the verge of extinction in other places where they used to be found. Additional information on theses species can be found on the ARKive website (
You can also refer to the “Selected Resources” (Word Document) for further links to relevant websites.
Orca
Douglas fir
Washington ground squirrel

6. Earth’s largest temperate rainforests
Teacher Note:
The temperate rainforest of the Pacific Northwest is one of the largest temperate rainforest ecosystems in the world, and the only one found in North America.
Background information on temperate rainforests around the globe:
Largest areas of temperate rainforest can be found in the following places:
Western North America
Southwest South America in Chile and Argentina
Tasmania
New Zealand - South Island
Others occur in South Africa’s Knysna-Amatole coastal forests, the Colchian rainforests of the eastern Black Sea region (Turkey and Georgia), the Caspian temperate rainforests of Iran and Azerbaijan, the mountain temperate rainforests along eastern Taiwan’s Pacific coast, and southwest Japan’s Taiheiyo forests.
Image source:
Temperate rainforests are shown here in green.

7. Threats to the temperate rainforest
Building of homes Construction of roads Global warming
Teacher Note:
Before even showing this slide, ask students why they think the Pacific Northwest is in danger. What could it mean if a region is in danger? What does it mean when a species is endangered? What could cause that? Have students speculate using the their prior knowledge and also what they have heard so far about the Pacific Northwest. To help them get started, you might want to show this slide and ask them how each of those three causes could contribute to the threats in the Pacific Northwest.
Other factors such as acid rain, climate change, disease, etc.
Background Knowledge:
Pacific temperate rainforests have been subject to ongoing large-scale industrial logging since the end of the Second World War, cutting over half of their total area. Not only has the forest been reduced due to logging for the wood, but clearing has also been a result of development. Creating room for building new homes and roads have led to habitat loss for plant and animals in the forests.
and …

8. Unsustainable logging and its consequences
Teacher Note:
The photos in this slide show unsustainable logging practices. Without going into too much detail, students should realize that if vast stretches of that forest is being cut down, it can present severe challenges to species along the entire food web. Invite them to discuss various cause and effect chains so they can better realize that logging can have many and far reaching consequences.
Background Knowledge:
Proportionately, an even larger percentage of productive forest has been logged compared to areas that are less productive. Much of the land is rock, ice, muskeg, or less productive forest on steep slopes. The stereotypical old growth is limited to lowland flats and valleys, which have been preferentially targeted for logging. Historically, protected areas were usually placed in the mountains, leaving the valleys to the timber industry. So while some very large areas are protected as parks and monuments, very little of the highest-value habitat has been protected, and much of it has already been cut. Since the logging boom during the Second World War, actions have been taken to better protect these vulnerable trees. Today, 14% of the temperate forest in the Pacific Northwest is protected by the government. Although this is a positive measure, most of the protected areas are the alpine and mountainous areas, leaving the low valleys open for logging.

9. Forest loss in the southern Pacific Northwest
Teacher Note: If students can compare the two aerial photos, try to judge the extent of forest loss in this area. Students should realize that the logging has spread and that the areas are significant (and in one case two logging sections almost connect). Animals that require a larger area to hunt might find themselves cut off from their traditional habitat (projects for wolves and brown bears have been started to prevent that).
Once your students have seen various examples of drastic changes and its effect on the flora and fauna, it is time for them to embark on their own research. To focus this better, it might be good if you restrict it to a couple of species. (Refer to Session 2B and 3A of the Teachers’ Notes Word Document for more suggestions)
1 mile / 1.6 km
1 mile / 1.6 km
April November 2011
Many acres of forest were logged in the past 5 years