1. For real… visit the BOREAL By Julia, Michael and Nelson © Boreal Biome Association

2. Geographical Location ●Alaska ●Canada ●Russia ●Various northern and NE European countries http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/boreal.htm

3. Landscape Soil ● Swampy forest land during summer ● Frozen ground in winter ● Low rate of decomposition Vegetation ● Coniferous trees are the dominant plant form ● Fir trees ● Pine trees ● Mosses and Lichen http://www.outdoor-photos.com/photo/73015.html

4. Climate ● Think Canadian and Russian weathers ● Annual average temperature between 5°C and -5°C (41°F and 23°F) ● Precipitation varies, from around 20 cm per year to over 200 cm, 7.9-79 inches (often in the form of snow) ● Great destination to avoid the summer heat! http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/boreal.htm

5. The Seasonal Boreal Biome ●Winter vacation season o Biome’s longest season o Scenic tree and snow scapes ●Summer vacation season o Temperate weather o Visible biodiversity in plants and animal species

6. Unique Features and Facts: Why YOU should visit this Biome ●Great skiing and snow-sports in the winter...beautiful hiking in the summer ●World’s largest land-based biome covering 12 million square miles of earth ●Our planet has a massive dependency on the high levels of Carbon produced from these forests

7. Native Plants and Animals Conifer Trees Elk ●Waxy finish on their leaves retain water and weather cold and warm conditions ●Conifer trees never shed their leaves ●Thick layers of fur and fat to stay warm during harsh winters ●When vegetation is scarce they survive off of bark and leaves

8. Adaptations in the Taiga The Grizzly and Black Bears adapt to the harsh winters of the Taiga by sleeping through them in underground dens.

9. Environmental Concerns Deforestation due to over-logging is a huge problem for the Taiga. This has caused the Grizzly bear to be endangered.

10. Works Cited http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/boreal.ht m http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/740 16/taiga http://www.treehugger.com/natural- sciences/30-fascinating-facts-about-the-boreal- forest.html