The Taiga
The Taiga is the largest land biome. It is also known as the Northern Coniferous or Boreal Forest and is only found in the Northern Hemisphere below the Tundra Biome. In the Taiga, the winters are very long and very cold.
Location: The Taiga is found in Canada, Europe and Asia. The largest Taiga forest covers much of northern Russia and Siberia and the next largest covers much of northern Canada and Alaska. The smallest Taiga forest is found in Scandinavia.
Weather: Precipitation is usually in the form of snow and the Taiga averages about 254 cm or 100 in annually. The average temperature is below freezing for six months of the year. The Taiga's temperatures can fall below -60°C or -76°F . In the summer months, the temperatures can rise above 40°C or 104°F .
Seasons: The Taiga has four seasons. The winters are very cold and the summers are warm. The spring and fall seasons are extremely short.
Animals: The animals of the Taiga typically have thick, warm coats, large paws, feathers , some have the ability to change colors and many will hibernate or they will burrow. The Taiga is inhabited by millions of insects. Typical animals of the Taiga include: links, bears, weasels, ermine, mink, squirrels, hares and lemmings.
Plants: The Taiga is a forest, primarily consisting Coniferous (needle bearing) trees like pine, spruce, and larches. Low sunlight and acidic soil prevent plants from growing. The growing season is quite short, lasting only about three months. The soil in the Taiga is low in nutrients, very thin and very acidic. Due to the extreme difference in seasonal temperature, Taiga plants and animals must be able to adapt these extreme changes in temperatures.
Location: The Taiga is found in Canada, Europe and Asia. The largest Taiga forest covers much of northern Russia and Siberia and the next largest covers much of northern Canada and Alaska. The smallest Taiga forest is found in Scandinavia.
Weather: Precipitation is usually in the form of snow and the Taiga averages about 254 cm or 100 in annually. The average temperature is below freezing for six months of the year. The Taiga's temperatures can fall below -60°C or -76°F . In the summer months, the temperatures can rise above 40°C or 104°F .
Seasons: The Taiga has four seasons. The winters are very cold and the summers are warm. The spring and fall seasons are extremely short.
Animals: The animals of the Taiga typically have thick, warm coats, large paws, feathers , some have the ability to change colors and many will hibernate or they will burrow. The Taiga is inhabited by millions of insects. Typical animals of the Taiga include: links, bears, weasels, ermine, mink, squirrels, hares and lemmings.
Plants: The Taiga is a forest, primarily consisting Coniferous (needle bearing) trees like pine, spruce, and larches. Low sunlight and acidic soil prevent plants from growing. The growing season is quite short, lasting only about three months. The soil in the Taiga is low in nutrients, very thin and very acidic. Due to the extreme difference in seasonal temperature, Taiga plants and animals must be able to adapt these extreme changes in temperatures.
Plant and Animal Adaptations
Plants and animals living in the Taiga must be able to adapt to cold winters with snow, warm summers and a relatively short growing seasons. There is some permafrost and layers of rock just below the surface in some parts of the taiga making drainage difficult. The Taiga Biome receives limited precipitation but it has many lakes and swamps that will attract birds. The soil is quite acidic and has few minerals. It is covered by a deep layer of partially- decomposed conifer needles.
Plant Adaptations in the Taiga Biome
The Taiga, also referred to as the Boreal Forest has mostly evergreens / conifer trees which contain needles. Needles will retain moisture and shed snow. The waxy coating on the tree needles prevents evaporation. The darkness of the needles helps to attract more sun. Many of the branches on evergreen trees droop down allowing the shedding of snow. The seeds, which allow for reproduction are found within the protective cones of the evergreen trees. The roots of the confers will grow downwards which protects the trees from the winds that can be harsh at times in the Taiga’s winters.
Examples of Plants found in the Taiga:
Confers (Evergreen, Spruce, Fir and Pine) Blueberry Bushes, Cowberry Bushes, Bilberry Bush- es, Lichens, Mosses, some Maple, Elm, Willow, and Oak trees.
Plant Adaptations in the Taiga Biome
The Taiga, also referred to as the Boreal Forest has mostly evergreens / conifer trees which contain needles. Needles will retain moisture and shed snow. The waxy coating on the tree needles prevents evaporation. The darkness of the needles helps to attract more sun. Many of the branches on evergreen trees droop down allowing the shedding of snow. The seeds, which allow for reproduction are found within the protective cones of the evergreen trees. The roots of the confers will grow downwards which protects the trees from the winds that can be harsh at times in the Taiga’s winters.
Examples of Plants found in the Taiga:
Confers (Evergreen, Spruce, Fir and Pine) Blueberry Bushes, Cowberry Bushes, Bilberry Bush- es, Lichens, Mosses, some Maple, Elm, Willow, and Oak trees.
Animal Adaptations in the Taiga Biome
Animals have many adaptations to survive the Taiga Biome. Many birds of the Taiga will migrate south to avoid the cold winters. Other animals will burrow underground (rodents, shrews). The Snowshoe Hare adapts by changing color according to the season as a type of camouflage (brownish in the summer and white in the winter) to protect itself from predators. Many of the birds will feed upon the conifer seeds and berries. Birds like the geese, water fowl, woodpecker and ducks will migrate south to avoid the long, cold winter. Some of the animals of the Taiga will store extra layers of fat and fur to help keep them warm over the cold winters. Many of the animals have developed large feet or hooves to help them move in the often deep and abundant winter snow.
Examples of Animals found in the Taiga:
Snowshoe Hare, Lynx, Wolves, Foxes, Elk, Deer, Wolverine, Eagles, Falcons, Siberian Tigers, River Otter, Bobcat, insects including mosquitoes and ants.
Animals have many adaptations to survive the Taiga Biome. Many birds of the Taiga will migrate south to avoid the cold winters. Other animals will burrow underground (rodents, shrews). The Snowshoe Hare adapts by changing color according to the season as a type of camouflage (brownish in the summer and white in the winter) to protect itself from predators. Many of the birds will feed upon the conifer seeds and berries. Birds like the geese, water fowl, woodpecker and ducks will migrate south to avoid the long, cold winter. Some of the animals of the Taiga will store extra layers of fat and fur to help keep them warm over the cold winters. Many of the animals have developed large feet or hooves to help them move in the often deep and abundant winter snow.
Examples of Animals found in the Taiga:
Snowshoe Hare, Lynx, Wolves, Foxes, Elk, Deer, Wolverine, Eagles, Falcons, Siberian Tigers, River Otter, Bobcat, insects including mosquitoes and ants.