Boreal Forest Brady Seeley

Basic Description Also know as taiga Covers over 11% of earth’s land area Dominated by trees and occasional lakes and rivers Very dense forests

Location, Location, Location Located between latitudes of 50⁰ and 65⁰ N

Climate Winters are long – Over 6 months Immense temperature difference in some places Precipitation: 200 mm – 600 mm – Droughts are rare

Soils Low fertility Acidic Low temperatures impede decomposition Permafrost in more extreme areas

Biology - Plants Dominated by conifers with some deciduous trees – Spruce – Pine – Larch – Aspen – Birch Little vegetation underneath canopy except for small shrubs

Biology - Animals Larger mammals – Caribou – Reindeer – Wolf – major predator – Various bears – Moose Smaller mammals – Lynx – Wolverine – Snowshoe hare – Red squirrel

Human Influences Early humans lived off of boreal forest animals – Hunting and eventual domestication of reindeer Historically human intrusion light Threats: – Deforestation

QUIZ!!! What is another name for the boreal forest? A) Tundra B) Taiga C) Temperate forest D) All of the above

ANOTHER QUIZ!!! What is the biggest threat to the boreal forest? A) Drought B) Wildfires C) Deforestation D) Rudolph creating panic among the reindeer

Work Cited Molles M C. Life on Land. In: Kemp M J, editor. Ecology: Concepts and Applications. 5 volumes. New York (NY): McGraw-Hill; Vol 5th: 572 p.