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Final presentation
The taiga, also known as the boreal forest, is a large belt of coniferous forests located in cold northern latitudes. It covers 11% of the Earth's surface, including most of Canada, Alaska, Scandinavia, and Russia. The taiga has a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. It is dominated by coniferous trees like spruce, fir, and pine that are adapted to the cold climate. The taiga supports a diverse range of wildlife including birds, herbivores like moose and caribou, and predators such as wolves. However, threats from logging and hunting have negatively impacted some animal populations.
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Final presentation
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- 3. The taiga can be found in areas in the Northern Hemisphere
- 4. Largest vegetation on earth Taiga is the Russian word for forest Belt of coniferous forest Located in high latitudes of the northern hemisphere Sunlight hits the surface of the earth and scatters Results to large temperature differences as seasons progresses Covers 11% of the earth’s terrestrial surface
- 5. What is Ecotone? An ecotone is a transition area between two biomes but different patches of the landscape, such as forest and grassland
- 6. 4 major vegetationzones Forest tundra ecotone Open stands of spruce lichens and moss Open boreal woodland Lichens and black spruce Main boreal forest Continuous strand of spruce Pines Boreal mixed forest ecotone Boreal forest grades into mixed forest
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- 12. Summer Strong seasonal variation Summers are short, cool and moist (24-hr average temp is 10 °C or more) lasts 1–3 months and always less than 4 months. Temperature range in the summer gets as low as -7° C (20° F). The high in summer can be 21° C (70° F). The summers are mostly warm, rainy and humid. Influenced by northern hemisphere location
- 14. Winter Winters are prolonged, harsh and dry w/ long lasting snowfall The winter temperature range is -54 to -1° C (-65 to 30° F).
- 16. Precipitation The total precipitation in a year is 30 - 85 cm (12 - 33 in) The forms the precipitation comes in are rain, snow and dew. Most of the precipitation in the taiga falls as rain in the summer.
- 17. Permafrost Perenially frozen subsurface that may be hundreds of meters deep Upper layer thaw in summer Refreezes in winter Develops when ground temp is below O˚C
- 20. Impervious to water Waterremains and moves above it Ground thus stays soggy even though precipitation is low This enables plants to exist Accumulated organic matter protect the permafrost Shading and insulation Reduces warming and retard thawing of the soil in summer
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- 23. The type of soil is called Pozol are the typical soils of coniferous, or boreal forests sandy and excessively drained poor soils for agriculture Taiga soil tends to be young and poor in nutrients. It lacks the deep, organically enriched profile present in temperate deciduous forests.
- 24. Since the soil is acidic due to the falling pine needles, the forest floor has only lichens and some mosses growing on it.
- 26. Effect of permafrostto soil Vegetationand organic debris impede the thawing of the permafrost and act to conserve it Permafrost chills the soil Retarding the growth of both above ground and below ground parts of plants Limits activity of soil microorganisms Diminishes aeration and nutrient content of soil The colder the soil becomes, the closer to the surface the permafrost moves, and the more shallow the soil becomes
- 27. The effect becomes more pronounced the closer the permafrost is to the surface of the soil This contributes to the formation of shallow root systems by plants This is in order to get more water from the surface
- 28. Lichens retain soil moisture through the growing season, encouraging the growth of trees on sites that would otherwise be too dry.
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- 30. Decomposition Because of cool temperatures decomposition is slow in the taiga. Undecayed vegetation builds up on the forest floor, making it feel like a sponge. Since decomposition is slow, the soil is thin and lacking in nutrients. Trees grow taller where warmer temperatures allow for faster decomposition or by streams and rivers which carry nutrients from higher ground.
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- 32. Fires are reoccurring events in the taiga During periods of drought, fires can sweep over hundreds of thousands of hectares. All boreal species, both broadleaf trees and conifers are well adapted to fire Unless too severe, fire provides a seedbed for regeneration of trees
- 35. The Taiga appears as an endless sweep of sameness – a blanket of spire-shaped evergreens over the landscape. The boreal forest conifers fall into 3 growth forms (1) the spire-shaped spruces and fir. (2) The open, thin, light-penetrating upper canopy of pines and (3) the deciduous larch.
- 36. Only a thickcarpet of mosses grows in the dense shade of spruce, while lichens grow under pine.
- 37. Conifers are wellsuited to the cold taiga environment. The narrow, needlelike leaves with their thickened cuticles and sunken stomata reduce transpiration and assist in moisture conservation during periods of summer drought and winter freeze.
- 38. The dark greencolor of spruce and fir needles helps the foliage absorb maximum heat from the sun and begin photosynthesis as early as possible. Conical shape - promotes shedding of snow and prevents loss of branches. Evergreen habit - retention of foliage allows plants to photosynthesize as soon as temperatures permit in spring, rather than having to waste time in the short growing season merely growing leaves.
- 39. Black spruce (abilityto tolerate wet soils and occupies cold, north-facing slopes and bottomlands) White Spruce and Birch grow on permafrost-free south-facing slopes.
- 40. For some species,wildfires (with return times of between 20–200 years) are a necessary part of the life cycle in the taiga; some, e.g. Jack Pine have cones which only open to release their seed after a fire, dispersing their seeds onto the newly cleared ground.
- 41. The boreal forest,or taiga, supports a large range of animals.
- 42. Insects play acritical role as pollinators, decomposers, and as a part of the food web. Many nesting birds rely on them for food. BIRDS More than 300 species of birds have their nesting grounds in the taiga. Siberian Thrush, White-throated Sparrow, and Black- throated Green Warbler migrate to this habitat to take advantage of the long summer days and abundance of insects found around the numerous bogs and lakes.
- 43. Siberian Thrush Black-throated Green Warbler White-throated sparrow
- 44. Birds also feedand extract conifer seeds from cones, thus helping in the dispersal of seeds of trees.
- 45. The Taiga ishome to a number of large Herbivorous mammals, such as moose and reindeer/caribou. Some areas of the more southern closed boreal forest also have populations of other deer species such as the elk (wapiti) and roe deer.
- 46. These Large herbivoresof the boreal forests feed on grasses, sedges, and lichens.
- 47. Carnivores like wolves,lynx (bobcats), are also found in boreal forests
- 49. Antlers of mooseand deer are used in defense and fighting
- 50. Thick Fur helpinsulate the animals that live in taigas
- 51. Some animals havefur that help them blend in with the surroundings Snowshoe hare
- 52. Others are agileand fast so that they can capture their prey.
- 54. Other animals, likewolves team up to take down larger prey.
- 56. Clear cutting hasdestroyed habitats of animals thus forcing them to leave
- 57. Hunting activities have affectedthe population of animals in the boreal forests. Making some of the animals threatened/ endagered.