The Taiga Biome
World's Largest Biome
What is the Taiga Biome?
Taiga, from the Russian word for forest, is a coniferous forest that will make a great place for your next vacation. Due to their large size, availability is not an issue. These forests extend over much of far northern America, and all across northern Europe and Russia. Often, Taiga will be filled with lakes and pond, which provide truly beautiful sights. The lakes formed because the area was once covered in glaciers. As the glaciers receded, they carved into the surrounding rock. The are carved out would later become the lakes and ponds.
Amazing Life in the Taiga!
producers
The major producers of the taiga are conifers and evergreens. These are very pretty trees, and no matter what season you visit in, they will be in season, as they never lose their leaves. The reason that the types of producers are so limited is because the soil is highly acidic, due in large part to the needles of the trees in the area. When they fall, their high acid content is passed into the soil.
primary consumers
The taiga has the largest average size for primary consumers, making for some spectacular sights. The two major types of primary consumers in the taiga are small ground animals, like squirrels and rabbits, and large hoofed animals, such as elk and moose.
secondary consumers
The wide diversity of secondary consumers in the taiga means there is never a dull moment. Wolves, foxes, and birds of prey make up much of the secondary level of consumption.
tertiary consumers
There are 2 main types of tertiary consumers; hawks and bears. These majestic beasts are found almost anywhere throughout the taiga, from North America to Russia. The main types in North America are the Red Tailed Hawk and the Black (or american) Bear.
Wonderful Weather!
Due to the wide location range of boreal forests, weather varies greatly. In the Russian forests, winter nights can get down to -70*F. Summers in North America can easily reach temperatures of 100*F. This makes taigas perfect for all types of visitors.
Adaptations?
Evergreen Adaptation
The trees of the taiga have adapted to become evergreens so that they can maximize photosynthesis during the short period of spring.
Grey Wolf Tactics
One of the most interesting physiological adaptations is the grey wolf's hunting tactics. Due to the nature of their prey, they have adapted very advanced plans for killing their prey.
Human Interactions
Deforestation
While there are not many major cities in the taiga, it is still a forest, and human need the wood. Thus, deforestation is the largest threat that taiga face.
Mining
Human mining in the area, mainly for valuable ores, can also threaten the habitat and quality of life of nearby organisms.
Bibliography
Mattei, Pizalli I. Eniscuola. Ed. Pizzale I. Mattei. Italian Ministry of Education, 1 July 2010. Web. 29 Jan. 2016.
Small, George, Kathryn Style, and Sarah Tain. "Taiga Biome." Taiga Biome. Ed. George Small. N.p., 12 Sept. 2012. Web. 29 Jan. 2016
"Taiga Biome."
Animal Facts and Information RSS. Biome Expedition, 2013. Web. 01 May 2013
Beauchle, Mollicon D., R. "Introduction. The Boreal Forest and Global Change."
Introduction. The Boreal Forest and Global Change. Philosophical
Transactions of The Royal Society, 12 July 2008. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.