TAIGATAIGAThe Boreal ForestThe Boreal Forest

Taiga FactsTaiga Facts

““Taiga” comes from the Russian word for Taiga” comes from the Russian word for forestforest

The taiga is the largest biome in the worldThe taiga is the largest biome in the world The forests within the Mat-Su valley are The forests within the Mat-Su valley are

classified as taigaclassified as taiga The names ‘boreal forest’ or ‘northern The names ‘boreal forest’ or ‘northern

forest’ are sometimes used in place of ‘taiga’forest’ are sometimes used in place of ‘taiga’ Did you know that ‘boreal’ comes from the Did you know that ‘boreal’ comes from the

name of the Greek goddess of the North name of the Greek goddess of the North Wind? Wind?

Introduction to the TaigaIntroduction to the Taiga The Taiga exists a nearly continuous belt of The Taiga exists a nearly continuous belt of

coniferous trees across North America, Europe and coniferous trees across North America, Europe and AsiaAsia

Since it is growing in areas that were formerly Since it is growing in areas that were formerly glaciated, and there is patches of permafrost, there is glaciated, and there is patches of permafrost, there is a variety of successional stages that can be found.a variety of successional stages that can be found. This is called a This is called a ‘forest mosaic’‘forest mosaic’

ClimateClimate

Long, severe winters (up to six months Long, severe winters (up to six months with mean temperatures below freezing) with mean temperatures below freezing) and short summers (50 to 100 frost-free and short summers (50 to 100 frost-free days) days)

Mean annual precipitation is 15 to 20 Mean annual precipitation is 15 to 20 inches, but low evaporation rates make inches, but low evaporation rates make this a humid climatethis a humid climate

Conditions are similar to the tundra, just Conditions are similar to the tundra, just a little less extremea little less extreme

GeographyGeography

There are many water bodies found There are many water bodies found within the boreal forest:within the boreal forest: Bogs, fens, marshes, shallow lakes, Bogs, fens, marshes, shallow lakes,

rivers and wetlandsrivers and wetlands Forests cover approximately 19.2 Forests cover approximately 19.2

million square miles - (33%) of the million square miles - (33%) of the world's land surface area, and boreal world's land surface area, and boreal forests cover about 6.4 million forests cover about 6.4 million square miles, or 1/3 of all the forests square miles, or 1/3 of all the forests

More geographyMore geography

There are latitudinal zones within There are latitudinal zones within the boreal forest. the boreal forest. tundra/taiga ecotonetundra/taiga ecotone an open coniferous forest (the section an open coniferous forest (the section

most properly called taiga)most properly called taiga) and a mixed needleleaf evergreen-and a mixed needleleaf evergreen-

broadleaf deciduous forest, the ecotone broadleaf deciduous forest, the ecotone with the Temperate Broadleaf with the Temperate Broadleaf Deciduous Forest Deciduous Forest

Taiga SoilsTaiga Soils

Soils in this forest are called podzols, from Soils in this forest are called podzols, from the Russian word for ash (the color of these the Russian word for ash (the color of these soils)soils)

Podzolization occurs as a result of the acid Podzolization occurs as a result of the acid soil solution produced under needleleaf soil solution produced under needleleaf trees. trees. This means that iron and aluminum are leached This means that iron and aluminum are leached

from the surface, and deposited in lower layersfrom the surface, and deposited in lower layers Clays and other minerals migrate to lower Clays and other minerals migrate to lower

layers, leaving the upper one sandy in texture layers, leaving the upper one sandy in texture

Taiga TreesTaiga Trees By far the most dominant tree species By far the most dominant tree species

are conifers are conifers well-adapted to the harsh climate, and well-adapted to the harsh climate, and

thin, acidic soils thin, acidic soils

Four main genera found in the taigaFour main genera found in the taiga spruce (spruce (PiceaPicea)) fir (fir (AbiesAbies)) pine (pine (PinusPinus)) and the deciduous larch or tamarack and the deciduous larch or tamarack

((LarixLarix).).

Taiga TreesTaiga Trees

Broadleaf deciduous trees and shrubs Broadleaf deciduous trees and shrubs are found in early successional stages are found in early successional stages Most common are alder (Most common are alder (AlnusAlnus), ),

birch (birch (BetulaBetula), and aspen (), and aspen (PopulusPopulus))

and willow (and willow (SalixSalix).).

There are also many varieties of berries and There are also many varieties of berries and low lying plants that are very important to low lying plants that are very important to the balance of the ecosystem. the balance of the ecosystem.

But why so many But why so many evergreens?evergreens? Conical shapeConical shape

promotes shedding of snow and prevents loss of promotes shedding of snow and prevents loss of branches. branches.

NeedleleafNeedleleaf narrowness reduces surface area through which narrowness reduces surface area through which

water may be lost (transpired), water may be lost (transpired), the needles of boreal conifers also have thick waxy the needles of boreal conifers also have thick waxy

coatings which protected from drying winds. coatings which protected from drying winds. Evergreen habitEvergreen habit

retention of foliage allows plants to photosynthesize retention of foliage allows plants to photosynthesize as soon as temperatures permit in spring, rather as soon as temperatures permit in spring, rather than having to waste time and energy growing leavesthan having to waste time and energy growing leaves

Dark colorDark color the dark green of spruce and fir needles helps the the dark green of spruce and fir needles helps the

foliage absorb maximum heat from the sun and begin foliage absorb maximum heat from the sun and begin photosynthesis as early as possible photosynthesis as early as possible

Taiga AnimalsTaiga Animals

The North American The North American boreal forest offers boreal forest offers breeding grounds to breeding grounds to over 200 bird over 200 bird species, as well as species, as well as being home to being home to species such as species such as Lynx, Black Bear, Lynx, Black Bear, Moose, Coyote and Moose, Coyote and Timber WolfTimber Wolf

Taiga AnimalsTaiga Animals Since most of the trees Since most of the trees

have cones, there are have cones, there are animals that have evolved animals that have evolved adaptations to obtain adaptations to obtain seeds from the cones seeds from the cones

Conversely, the trees Conversely, the trees have adaptations to deter have adaptations to deter this, usually spines on the this, usually spines on the cones. cones.

Crossbills (which have Crossbills (which have crossed beaks) are highly crossed beaks) are highly efficient seed extractors. efficient seed extractors.

Taiga AnimalsTaiga Animals

Moose are common large Moose are common large herbivores in the boreal forest. herbivores in the boreal forest.

Caribou use the forest for shelter Caribou use the forest for shelter in the worst parts of the winter. in the worst parts of the winter.

Moose (Moose (Alces alcesAlces alces) generally prefer deciduous ) generally prefer deciduous browse and herbaceous plants, while caribou browse and herbaceous plants, while caribou ((Rangifer terrendusRangifer terrendus) scavenge for lichens and ) scavenge for lichens and can eat conifer needles. can eat conifer needles. Thus, the two large herbivores have different food Thus, the two large herbivores have different food

requirements - moose being an early successional requirements - moose being an early successional (young forest) species, and caribou a late successional (young forest) species, and caribou a late successional (older forest) species. (older forest) species.

Taiga AnimalsTaiga Animals

The beaver (The beaver (Castor canadensisCastor canadensis), on ), on which the early North American fur which the early North American fur trade was based, is also a creature trade was based, is also a creature of early successional communities, of early successional communities, indeed its dams along streams indeed its dams along streams create such habitats. create such habitats.

Taiga AnimalsTaiga Animals Bear (Bear (UrsusUrsus) are ) are

abundant in the abundant in the boreal forest, along boreal forest, along with wolves (with wolves (Canis Canis lupuslupus). ).

Snowshoe hares Snowshoe hares ((Lepus americanusLepus americanus) ) and lynx (and lynx (Felis lynxFelis lynx), ), which have unusually which have unusually large feet to walk large feet to walk across snow, are also across snow, are also common. common.

Taiga AnimalsTaiga Animals

Various members Various members of the weasel of the weasel family (e.g., family (e.g., wolverine, fisher, wolverine, fisher, pine martin, mink, pine martin, mink, ermine, and sable) ermine, and sable) are extremely are extremely characteristic of characteristic of the boreal forest. the boreal forest.

Taiga AnimalsTaiga Animals Among birds, insect-eaters like Among birds, insect-eaters like

the wood warblers are migratory the wood warblers are migratory and leave after the breeding and leave after the breeding season. season.

Seed-eaters (finches, grosbeaks, Seed-eaters (finches, grosbeaks, sparrows and chickadees) and sparrows and chickadees) and omnivores (e.g., ravens) tend to omnivores (e.g., ravens) tend to be year-round residents. be year-round residents.

During poor cone years, these During poor cone years, these year-round residents may leave year-round residents may leave the taiga in winter and can be the taiga in winter and can be seen at residential bird feeders. seen at residential bird feeders.

To sum it all up…To sum it all up…

The taiga is sometimes called the boreal The taiga is sometimes called the boreal forest.forest.

Conditions are similar to the tundra (as far Conditions are similar to the tundra (as far as temperatures, sunlight, etc) but not as temperatures, sunlight, etc) but not quite as extremequite as extreme

The dominant vegetation is needle-leafed The dominant vegetation is needle-leafed trees.trees.

There is a variety of wildlife—much greater There is a variety of wildlife—much greater biodiversity than the tundrabiodiversity than the tundra

We live in the taiga!We live in the taiga!