TAIGA/ BOREAL FOREST

Climate The taiga corresponds with regions of subarctic and cold continental climate Long, severe winters, up to six months Short summers (50 to 100 frost-free days) wide range of temperatures between the lows of winter and highs of summer. For example, Verkhoyansk, Russia, has recorded extremes of

minus 90 ° Fand plus 90 ° F. Mean annual precipitation is 15 to 20 inches, but low

evaporation rates make this a humid climate. In winter snow seems to be the dominant form of precipitation

Common/Key organisms coniferous tree is definitely the most dominant. - able to shed snow easily and unlike many

other trees keep their needles all throughout the winter

- The needle like leaves of the coniferous trees helps it withstand the long droughts of the northern winter months of the taiga

black bear is one of the most dominant -thick coat for the winter allows for it to be

able to stay warm in the harsh taiga conditions. Even though the black bear manly eats plants, about 75% of its diet, it helps keep populations of different animals in check by killing off the weak and the elderly of different animals

wolf is greatly adapted to these conditions -Their paws are webbed to make it much

easier to run in the snow to catch prey.

Biodiversity

There is little diversity in the main trees.

The four main genera found are: the evergreen spruce (Picea), fir (Abies), and pine (Pinus), and the deciduous larch or tamarack (Larix).

In North America, one or two species of fir and one or two species of spruce are dominant.

Across Scandanavia and western Russia the Scots pine is a common component of the taiga.

Productivity The short summers usually cause a

very low productivity. The total productivity is only estimated at being 2000 kcal/m2/year.

The taiga is threatened by-production of fossil fuels and petro products. There is estimated that there is a vast amount of petroleum under these forests all throughout the world.-global warming. Without the cold temperatures deciduous trees will begin to form in the taiga and outnumber the coniferous trees. -logging. Logging destroys millions and millions of trees every year. Without these trees the plant life will begin to go down. Also the animal life will be greatly affected because these trees are homes to many different animal species. Coniferous trees are very slow to regrow and require great management if they are to be logged.

Environmental issues of particulate importance

Global Distribution and examples of locations

Areas on earth that consists of taigas are North America and Russia

Most of taigas are spread out along the northern hemisphere. An example of a Taiga here in North America is - Yosemite National Park. Many others of Americas national parks include some sort of Boreal Forrest.

Examples of key interactions between organisms