Biome: Midlatitude Deciduous Forest

Deciduous forests can be classified into two distinct biomes: (1) the deciduous midlatitude biome and (2) the tropical deciduous biome. Although in both biomes the trees lose their leaves during a dormant season, tropical deciduous trees experience dry conditions and subsequent leaf loss while deciduous midlatitude trees lose their leaves because of the cold season. The deciduous midlatitude forest is anything but homogeneous. Flora and fauna, soil types, and climate differ along a latitudinal and/or an east-west gradient. Tree genera are very similar between the European, North American, and Asian deciduous, midlatitude forests but diversity varies. Disturbances are a vital part of this biome.