By Ignis Serrano & Becky Herrera

Climate The average annual temperatures of a taiga can go as low as -50 degrees Celsius. Precipitation varies from about 20cm per year to over 200cm (much of it in snow). The winters are long and cold, and the summers are short and cool. Terrain Composed primarily of sedimentary rock, limestone, shale, and sandstone. Most of the terrain is flat or slightly rolling, except for where rivers and tributaries cut through the grounds. Although, canyons and mountains can be found in some areas.

Flora Not all plants can survive the harsh climate. Most plants such as pine, white spruce, hemlock, and Douglas fir grow well in the taiga climate. Due to high water availability and long summer days certain plants thrive. Fauna The Taiga does not have as many plants or animals as tropical or deciduous forest biomes, however, it does have millions of insects in the summer time. Birds usually migrate back in the summer to nest and feed. American black bear Bald eagle Bobcat Canadian lynx Gray wolf Grizzly bear Long eared owl Red fox River otter Snowshoe rabbit Wolverine Minx Ermine red squirrels Voles Red deer Elk moose

The exploration and development of oil and natural gas reserves is a threat to the taiga, as well as deforestation, and global warming. The worlds oldest trees can be found in the taiga. Some are as old as 4,000 years. The taiga covers 11% of the earth. Decomposition is low in the taiga because of cold temperatures, as a result dead vegetation will pile up on the forest floors making a sponge like covering.