Saving The Great Bear Rainforest
By: Markus Cobarrubias
About the Great Bear Rainforest
The Great Bear Rainforest is the only temperate rainforest in North America stretching from North Vancouver, British Columbia Canada, all the way to parts of Alaska. A temperate rainforest is a woodland of a usually rather mild climatic area within the temperate zone that receives heavy rainfall. At over 12,000 square meters it is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the world. It is home to many animals ranging from mountain goats to salmon and is one of the main tourist attractions in the North Vancouver area.
All Temperate RainForests
Spirit Bear
The Spirit Bear is the Great Bear Rainforests signature attraction. With its white colored fur the bear is a sight to be seen. They can be found in the inner portion of the rainforests near lots of trees. Their fur helps them stay warm in the colder months. Then they hibernate in the winter which helps them overcome the harsh cold that comes.
Canada Goose
The Canada Goose migrates from the U.S and Mexico to the Great Bear Rainforest. It is one of the most well known birds in the rainforest. They can mainly be found near the lakes and rivers where they can be seen flying around looking for food. Geese have webbed feet which makes them ideal for swimming. They also have plenty of feathers that are able to keep them from getting to cold.
Salmon
Salmon are keystone species of British Columbia’s rainforest. One of the Spirit Bear's main prey, they place a large part in the ecosystem. They are found in the rivers and lakes. Salmon use quick bursts of speed to prevent themselves from getting caught by predators.
Sea Otters
Sea Otters live in the lakes of the Great Bear Rainforest. They are found swimming in the lakes or even rivers. Sea Otters swim on their backs and use their feet to swim up to 1 mile an hour. They eat small animals found in lakes
Mountain Goat
The Mountain Goat lives up in the Mountain area of the Rainforest. Their hooves are adapted for ridged slopes by being flexible, like rubber, so they can jump from rock to rock.
KIller Whales
Killer Whales are found in the Ocean by the Great Bear Rainforest Killer whales are among the fastest swimming marine mammals. Killer whales can swim at speeds of up to 45 kph (28 mph), but probably only for a few seconds at a time. Killer whales usually cruise at much slower speeds, less than 13 kph (8 mph)
Flora of the Great Bear Rainforest
Flora are found on the ground next to trees. They take in lots of water that falls with their roots. This helps Flora stay alive. They are one of the most common plants in the rainforest.
Sitka Spruce
The Sitka Spruce is one of the tallest trees in the rainforest. They are able to grow so tall due to the amount of rainfall.
Red Cedar
Red Cedars are another common tree in the rainforest. The adapt by using the sunlight that the Rainforest provides and using it for energy.
Western Hemlock
The Western Hemlock is one of the tallest pine trees and like the Sitka Spruce they are able to grow so tall due to the amount of rainfall.
Douglas Fur
The Douglas Fur is a pine tree that is thick and wide in size. They take in water underground and use it to grow.
Climate
The average temperature of the Great Bear Rainforest is around 30-68 degrees fahrenheit. Over the last 100 years, the temperature has increased 0.6 degrees celsius (33.08 fahrenheit) The rainforest gets an average of 225 cm (90 inches) of precipitation each year.
Threats
The biggest threat for the Great Bear Rainforest is logging. Logging companies cut down thousands of trees each years. When they cut down the trees, all different animals become endangered due to the machines harming their area. Very recently a law was passed preventing over 85% of the Rainforest from logging and mining companies. This means that most animals will not have to witness their home being destroyed.