Boreal Forest

What is the Boreal Forest? Boreal means Northern. The Boreal forest is the forest in the north; almost like a continuous belt around the world Boreal forest refers to the southern part of this biome, while taiga describes the more northern areas of the Arctic tree line. http://www.borealforest.org/world/images/world_boreal_forests.jpg SLW. "Introduction." Taiga or Boreal Forest. October 1996. 7 Feb 2009 <http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/taiga/taiga.html>. "Taiga." Wikipedia. 7 Feb 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiga>.

Type of plants Most of the plants in this habitat are trees. Conifer, Taiga, Pine, Fir, Spruce, Cedar, Redwood, and Larch. The conifer tree is a triangular shape. This allows the snow to build up on it’s branches, but the snow is able to slide off without damaging the tree Willows and Birches are strong enough to survive. Ganeri, Anita. Forests. wayland, 1996.

http://www.euronet.nl/users/e_wesker/jpg/48.jpg http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/sharemed/targets/images/pho/t054/T054365A.jpg http://cs.metrostate.edu/~ics2251sp702/Project4/taigaforest.jpg

The Species of Animals Species of animals Mammals, Reptiles, Amphibians, Birds and Insects. Regardless fur or feathers, an insulating layer keeps an animal's body warm in winter, and cool in summer. Caribou has dense coats of hollow hairs provide great protection from the cold, and also help them stay afloat as they cross lakes and rivers. Wolves have excellent fur insulation, enabling them to hunt on the coldest days. Ptarmigan and Grouse grow thick layers of down. Cornish, Jim. Boreal Forest Animals. October 1996. 7 Feb 2009 <http://www.cdli.ca/CITE/artsmarts/boreal_animals.PDF>. "Boreal Forest life." ADF&G. 7 Feb 2009 <http://www.wc.adfg.state.ak.us/index.cfm?adfg=ecosystems.boreallife>.

The Types of Mammals The largest mammals: the moose, elk, woodland caribou and black bear Smaller mammals: the pine marten, red squirrel, beaver, snow shoe hare, weasel, mink, skunk, wolf, coyote and lynx Some boreal forest animals like Brown bears and black bears, marmots, and jumping mice avoid the challenges of winter by spending the cold season in hibernation. "Boreal Forest life." ADF&G. 7 Feb 2009 <http://www.wc.adfg.state.ak.us/index.cfm?adfg=ecosystems.boreallife>.

http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Taiga-wolves-175870_800_600.jpg http://www.ericwilsonwildlifeart.com/BigCats/Tigers/TaigaTigerL.jpg

Birds, Reptiles and Insects Most of the bird species; Avoid the winter difficulties by migrating: they arrive in spring to nest and feed during the brief boreal summer, then go back toward the south in fall for better climates. The most common type of Reptile is the snake But in wetlands there are salamanders and frogs are common Wood frogs and many species of insects hibernate so deeply that their bodies actually freeze. "Boreal Forest life." ADF&G. 7 Feb 2009 <http://www.wc.adfg.state.ak.us/index.cfm?adfg=ecosystems.boreallife>.

Human Activities The trees in the boreal forest have been harvested for many years because of the collapse of the soviet Reunion The biggest threat to the Boreal forest today is the exploration and development of oil and natural gas reserves from Alaska to Canada to Russia http://www.borealbirds.org/images/woodpiles.jpg http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/boreal.htm, http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Forests/2ColumnSubPage/241112.html

Abiotic Factors The harsh climates fall as low as minus 70°C Some trees in the boreal forests are very short, due to the very short growing seasons due to the short summers and long cold winters Long, cold winters; short, mild summers; moderate precipitation; high humidity; acidic, nutrient-poor soils Ganeri, Anita. Forests. wayland, 1996. "Taiga." Wikipedia. 7 Feb 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiga>. "Boreal Forest." teachers'domain. WGBH. 7 Feb 2009 <http://www.teachersdomain.org/assets/wgbh/tdc02/tdc02_doc_biomesummary/tdc02_doc_biomesummary.pdf>.

http://www. runet. edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/taiga/taiga http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/taiga/taiga.html