by: Jenn Latulippe, Tessie Koulis, and Brooke Nowlan

Taiga is the Russian word for forest and is the largest biome in the world. It stretches over Eurasia and North America. The Taiga is located near the top of the world, just under the tundra. The winters in the Taiga are very cold, and the summers are rainy and humid. Taiga is also known as the boreal forest. The Taiga doesn't have as many plant and animal as other biomes due to the extreme climates.

Climate

The Taiga biome is extremely cold in the winter due to the arctic winds which are caused by the arctic circle. Winter usually lasts between 6 – 7 months, and the summer is usually short, rainy & hot. The winter temperature usually range from -54 to -1° C, and the summers range from -7 to 21° C . During the summer the average rain fall is 30-84 cm and during the winter the average snow fall ranges from about 35-90 cm.

Features of the Taiga Biome

o It is the largest biome in the world.

o Very few varieties of ferns, lichens and mosses grow on trees and shrubs in humid conditions.

o Reptiles like snakes and lizards live in the Taiga biome.

o Decay is very slow due to the low temperatures and poor growth of decomposers.

Plant AdaptationIn the Taiga biome, most plants are found in larger numbers. Usually there are acres and acres of the same type of trees. There are not many plants that are able to survive in these conditions. There is not much diversity and most of the trees are ever green trees. Many trees in the Taiga are conifers, which mean they form pine cones. If the pine cone becomes fertilized they become bigger, then seeds produce inside the cones. Once it is ripen the seeds fall out and the cone dries up. Squirrels like to feed on mature seeds, which can take up to 2 years.

Common Plants :•Evergreens

•Fir trees

•Spruce trees.

•Pine trees.

Animal AdaptationLike plants in the Taiga, animals also have to adapt to the harsh climate. The animals who live in the Taiga have thick fur coats to help protect them. Some animals also have unique qualities that help them adapt to the Taiga environment better. A lot of the animals migrate to different parts during heavy snowfall and when food supply is scarce.

Common Animals

Long-eared Owl Snowshoe Rabbit Gray Wolf

Black Bear Lynx Wolverine

Minks Bobcat

Threats to The Taiga Biome

One of the main threats to the Taiga biome is Global Warming. Some scientists predict that the climate in the Taiga will heat up because of climate change. This means that there will be a higher risk of forest fires and of insect infestation outbreaks. Melting permafrost in the Taiga is triggering the release of methane, which is a powerful greenhouse gas. There are large amounts of methane locked in the permafrost, and if it’s released it could cause a greenhouse effect.

Another threat to the Taiga is the logging industry. Many logging industries are cutting down the trees in this area in order to make such items as: toilet paper, office paper, books and catalogues. Around half of the boreal forest has been licensed to different logging companies. Most of the logging is focused in the southern part of the biome, in which is also the habitat of most of the wildlife. Over 90 percent of this area has been cut down, making it almost impossible for wildlife to survive in this area. Some animals in this area are already starting to become extinct. (Wolverine, woodland caribou, eastern wolf and Labrador marten).

Other threats

Bibliography

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/taiga.htm

http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/taiga.html http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/campaigns/boreal/threats-to-the-boreal-forest