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”)

CLIMATE ﺵ Sub arctic ﺵ Long Winters ﺵ Dry and cold ﺵ Short summers (mild-warm) 19 hrs. sun ﺵ Winter: 6-8 hrs. sun (“Marietta”)

STATISTICS  Avg. annual temp: 0°C (≥-5°C ≤5°C)  Avg. annual precipitation: cm.  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 -winter  frozen soil, harsh climate  low 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. 12 th ed. California: Brooks/Cole Thomson Learning. “RuNet”Unknown author (1996). Taiga or Boreal Forests. Retrieved October 17, 2008, from SLW. taiga.html “Wikipedia” Various authors. "Taiga." Wikipedia.org. 18 Oct Oct “Marietta” Unknown Author. "Taiga or Boreal Forest." The Boreal Forest Biome. Marietta. 20 Oct “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, p vols.

Bibliography (cont.) “Blue Planet Biomes” Strahler, Arthur N., Strahler, Arthur H., Elements of Physical Geography. John Wiley & Sons,