The Boreal Forest(AKA Taiga)

By: Ahmed Abu Al Saud

What does “Boreal” mean?

Boreal:

A forest that grows in regions of the northern hemisphere with cold temperatures. Made up mostly of cold tolerant coniferous species, such as spruce and fir.

Where is the Boreal Forest located

The Boreal Forest is located in the northern part of northern hemisphere. Runs through countries such as: USA, Canada, Russia, and Scandinavia as the picture below shows.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Location_of_boreal_forest

http://biomee.wikispaces.com/Boreal+Biome

Boreal Forest Environmental Conditions-Temp. Rainfall. (A biotic Factors)

In the Boreal Forest, the temperature is usually 5© or 5-© The winters are cold and long; summers are relatively short and cool. With snowmelt and low temperatures, there is little evaporation in the summer, so the ground is usually very moist during the growing season. Add to the availability of water the fact that the short summer has extremely long day length at the northerly latitudes and you have a situation for explosive plant growth in the summer. Still the growing season is short, usually less than 3 months.

http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/boreal.htm

What animals live there?

Animals:

Bears

Wolves

Foxes

Weasels

Badgers

Cats

Pandas, Raccoons, Otters

Squirrels, Mice, Beaver, Rabbits

Seals, Whales, Dolphins, Walrus, Porpoises

http://www.borealforest.org/world/mammals.htm

What common plants are there?

Pine cone closed (left) and open (right)

Fir (tree)

Polytrichum Moss. Lichen

http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/boreal.htm

Two Human Activities That Affect This Biome (part 1):

The Taiga is being destroyed everyday by both humans and nature. Nature causes forest fires with lighting, diseased by parasites or herbicides, and spruce trees that grow on top thick moss are frequently blown over by strong winds. Large-scale clear cutting, plantation forestry, introduction of exotic tree species, soil sacrification, ditching, and use of pesticides or herbicides have led to habitat loss.

http://www.ri.net/schools/West_Warwick/manateeproject/Taiga/pands.htm

Continue part 2

Two Human Activities That Affect This Biome (part 2):

Large-scale industrial forestry, or logging, is the greatest important threat effecting the boreal forest.The wood is used in the "pulp factory" for pulp and paper. Other threats to the Taiga are oil and gas exploration, road building, mining, human triggered forest fire, and climate change. Animals of the Taiga are being hunted and trapped for their fur which decreases their population greatly. Hydroelectric power has ruined the water system. Many fish have mercury poisoning. The Taiga is being destroyed equal to that of the rainforest.

http://www.ri.net/schools/West_Warwick/manateeproject/Taiga/pands.htm

Does it affect us humans too?

Destruction of the Taiga is harmful to humans as well as animals and we need to save it! Forestry destroys the people of the Taiga's native culture; all memories are chopped down to make tissue and paper. Living in an unhealthy forest makes an unhealthy community. To save the Taiga people must decrease the use of paper and wood products.

http://www.ri.net/schools/West_Warwick/manateeproject/Taiga/pands.htm

Why are humans affecting The Boreal Forest?

Humans are affecting The Boreal Forest because of its fine trees, animals that live in it have good skin and because of the plants that grow there.

Is it right for humans to affect The Boreal Forest? (opinion)

I think its ok to cut down trees from The Boreal Forest but they need to cut down a bit less trees because as I said in the other slide *Living in an unhealthy forest makes an unhealthy community.*

Food web of the Boreal Forest:

http://www.vtaide.com/png/taiga.htm

Thanks for watching…..