BOREAL FORESTS

Marion B. and Tesha K.

(“Marietta”)

LOCATION

-South of the Arctic tundra

-Latitude: around 60°-In northern regions across North America, Asia, and Europe

(“Wikipedia”)

CLIMATECLIMATEش Sub arcticSub arctic

ش Long Long WintersWinters

ش Dry and Dry and coldcold

ش Short Short summers summers

(mild-warm) (mild-warm)

19 hrs. sun19 hrs. sunش Winter: 6-8 Winter: 6-8

hrs.hrs. sun sun

(“Marietta”)

STATISTICS

Avg. annual temp: 0°C (≥-5°C ≤5°C)

Avg. annual precipitation: 100-125cm.

Temperature Range: 41°C

(“Blue Planet Biomes”)

FLORA TYPES• Trees: conifers (evergreens, firs, etc); needles all year

long-produce cones instead of flowers (“Coniferous Forest”)

--able to endure intense cold and drought during winter (Living in the Environment)s

-some mosses and algae grow on ground-needles reduce surface area loose less water-needle coating=waxy and waterproof-stomata sunken in wind protection-dark color absorbs heat photosynthesis sooner -winterfrozen soil, harsh climatelow plant diversity

(“Marietta”)

FAUNA• Predators (with fur): weasel family, lynx, some tigers

-feed on rabbits, squirrels, lemmings, and voles

-elk, moose, beavers=large herbivores

• Birds: insect-eaters (wood warblers), seed eaters(finches, sparrows), omnivores (ravens) and some migratory birds

(“Marietta”)

Degree of Biodiversity and Biomass Pyramid

Degree of Biodiversity: ~ 1.5

Biomass Pyramid:

Tertiary Consumers: owls, some wolves and foxes

Secondary Consumers: some foxes, and other furry animals

Primary Consumers: Moose, Blue Jay/other birds, some foxes, Beetles, Rabbits

Producers: Spruce and other conifers; plants such as Bebb Willows

Decomposers: Bacteria (Living in the Environment)

Bibliography

“Living in the Environment” Miller, G. Tyler. (2002). Living in the Environment: principles, connections, and solutions. 12th ed. California: Brooks/Cole Thomson Learning.

“RuNet”Unknown author (1996). Taiga or Boreal Forests. Retrieved October 17, 2008, from SLW. http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/taiga/taiga.html

“Wikipedia” Various authors. "Taiga." Wikipedia.org. 18 Oct. 2008. 20 Oct. 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/taiga>.

“Marietta” Unknown Author. "Taiga or Boreal Forest." The Boreal Forest Biome. Marietta. 20 Oct. 2008

<http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/boreal.htm>. • “Coniferous Forest”         Environmental Encyclopedia. Eds. Marci Bortman, Peter Brimblecombe, Mary Ann Cunningham, William P. Cunningham, and William Freedman. Vol. 1. 3rd ed. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale, 2003. p304. 2 vols.

Bibliography (cont.)

“Blue Planet Biomes” Strahler, Arthur N., Strahler, Arthur H., Elements of Physical Geography. John Wiley & Sons, 1984. http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/climate.htm