Which of the following is a characteristic of a temperate forest?

A temperate forest is characterized by its experience of four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. This seasonal variation leads to a rich diversity of plant life, which includes both deciduous trees that shed their leaves in the fall and evergreens that retain their foliage throughout the year. The diversity in flora supports a wide range of animal life, ensuring that temperate forests are among the most biodiverse ecosystems.

The consistent presence of distinct seasons in temperate forests contributes to the overall health and complexity of the ecosystem, allowing various species to thrive in different conditions throughout the year. This characteristic sets temperate forests apart from other types of forests, such as tropical rainforests that have a more stable climate year-round, or boreal forests that experience less diversity due to harsher conditions.

In contrast, options referring to consistently warm temperatures or evergreen trees exclusively do not accurately represent the varied environments found within temperate forests, and low annual precipitation levels are more characteristic of arid or semi-arid regions rather than temperate climates.