Boreal Forest Wetlands of North America

By: David Baker

April 11, 2005

Introduction:The Boreal Forest is the largest continuous ecosystem on

Earth today.

In North America, the Boreal Forest extends from Alaska to Newfoundland, bordering the artic tundra to the north

and extending south to the Great Lakes.

Introduction (con’t)The Boreal Forest is mainly composed of evergreen trees/

coniferous tress with a vast under story of shrubs and herbs.

Because of predominate vegetation this area is also commonly refer to as:

1. The Coniferous Forest Region

2. The Taiga Region

Ecosystem

Boreal Forest contain more than ½ million square miles of wetlands and 1.5 million lakes. This extensive presence of wetlands is a major characteristic of the Boreal Forest.

Marsh Bog

Ecosystem (con’t)

This region contains many types of wetlands: -Fens, bogs, lakes, rivers, swamps, marshes

Ecosystem (con’t)

With all these different types of habitat, a wide array of plants and animal make this region their home.

Some of the most common coniferous trees include:- Jack pines, black &white spruce, balsam firs, and tamaracks.

Ecosystem (con’t)

Some of the residential wildlife of the area.

Ecosystem (con’t)

Ecosystem (con’t)

This area is a vital area for the breeding waterfowl and land birds of North America.

- Over 40% of the of waterfowl nest/breed in the boreal forest wetlands

- Around 30% of breeding land birds migrate to the boreal forest and take advantage of the larval hatch

Interesting Facts

1) The world’s largest intact ecosystem

2) <8% of boreal forest is protected

3) 94% of boreal forest is publicly owned

4) 1/3 of forest has currently been allocated for

industrial development

5) Largest storage of organic carbon on Earth

6) Keeps carbon out of atmosphere that traps heat.

7) Major key in fighting/preventing global warming

-more important than tropical rain forest

ThreatsThere are 4 major threats to the degradation of this

area: Logging, development of hydroelectric systems, gas/oil drilling, road construction and

fire.

Logging:

Threats (con’t)

Hydroelectric Plants:

Gas/Oil Drilling:

Threats (con’t)

Fire:

Fire is an important part of the ecosystem that is very beneficial to the plant and animal communities. However, humans have cause an increase in number of fire and fire intensity with is detrimental to this ecosystem.

Threats (con’t)

All these threats have led to the development of roads throughout the region causing the degradation of habitat, soils, increase in erosion, lowering the quality of water and biodiversity.

The threats are increasing daily to this region as more demands are put on the environment by humans for electricity, fuel and paper products.

Hope for the Future

The Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) is currently partnering with other environmental

groups in effort to form long lasting agreements with the private landowners to protect the forest

from further degradation.