User talk:Brooke XD

taiga is located between 50 degrees latitude north and the Arctic circle. he sun shines for days in the summer, because the taiga is near the top of the world. Insects breed in the melting water. Birds come to the taiga to nest and lay their eggs in the spring and to eat the plentiful insects. In the taiga, the average temperature is below freezing for six months of the year. Total yearly precipitation in the taiga is 12 - 33 inches (30 - 85 centimeters). Although the cold winters have some snowfall, most of the precipitation comes during the warm, humid summer months. Temp. in winter: L. -65 F (-54 C) H. 30 F (-1 C) Temp. in Summer L.20 F (-7 C) H. 70 F (21 C) Because of the tilt of the earth on its axis, in the taiga you'll find long nights in the winter and long days in the summer.

During the summer months, the taiga fills up with millions of insects. Birds, who eat insects, migrate every year for the plentiful food supply.

The taiga is prone to wildfires. Many trees have adapted to this by growing thick bark, which can protect a tree from a mild fire.

Decomposition Because of cool temperatures decomposition is slow in the taiga. Undecayed vegetation builds up on the forest floor, making it feel like a sponge. Since decomposition is slow, the soil is thin and lacking in nutrients. Trees grow taller where warmer temperatures allow for faster decompostion or by streams and rivers which carry nutrients from higher ground. From http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/taiga/index.htm Copyright © 2002 Missouri Botanical Garden

Birds: Bohemian Waxwing; Hawk Owl; Pine Grosbeak; Red-Throated Loon

Mammals: Ermine; Eurasian Beaver; European Red Squirrel; Lynx; Marten; Moose; Snowshoe Rabbit; Wolverine From: http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/taiga/index.htm Copyright © 2006 Missouri Botanical Garden

Large-scale industrial forestry is by far the most important threat affecting boreal forests today. Intensive forestry methods such as large scale clear-cutting, plantation forestry, the introduction of exotic tree species, soil scarification and ditching and the use of pesticides/herbicides characterize forestry throughout the boreal region, leading to a simplification of the ecosystem and an unprecedented loss of habitat. Paper consumption has increased twenty fold during the 20th century and is expected to increase by another 80% by 2010 (from 1993 levels). Such a scenario would be a disaster for the taiga. Other pressures include oil and gas exploration, road building, mining, human induced forest fires, climate change as well as illegal activities such as poaching and logging. From: http://www.taigarescue.org/index.php?view_article=70

Global warming is a consequence of a dramatic increase in the atmospheric concentrations of Greenhouse gases (Carbon Dioxide, Methane etc.) since the industrial revolution. Such gases in the atmosphere trap the sun’s energy, increasing global temperatures. The burning of fossil fuels, industry, deforestation, changing land use and agriculture release greenhouse gases and contribute to global warming.

Climate models predict temperature increases as much as 5 – 10°C in some areas of the Russian and Canadian Boreal forest over the next century. Alaskan winter temperatures have already risen an average 4.5 °C since the sixties. A conservative temperature increase of +2°C over the next century would force trees to migrate around 1.5 – 5.5km a year further north or higher in altitude. Forests are generally only able to migrate at a much slower rate of between 0.02 and 2km a year. The predicted continuing rise in global temperatures will have a severe impact on the global climate and a devastating effect on the boreal forest eco-system. From: http://www.taigarescue.org/en//index.php?sub=2&cat=40

Catastrophic forest fires in Russia are a serious threat to both the unique biodiversity of boreal forests and the global carbon balance. In recent years, the Russian fire management policy has been unclear, ineffective and non-transparent. From: http://www.taigarescue.org/index.php?sub=2&cat=41

Most of the taiga in North America was once covered with glaciers that have receded, leaving gouges and depressions in the topography. Since there is moderately high precipitation, these gouges and depressions are frequently filled with water, creating bogs and lakes. The soil found in the taiga is low in nutrients and high in acid. It also is rocky and covered with undecayed leaf litter. Patches of permafrost can also be found in areas of the taiga. From: http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/taiga.html Copyright © 1997-2004 by Wheeling Jesuit University/NASA-supported Classroom of the Future. All rights reserved.

The taiga is home to many insects and birds such as the bald eagle, chickadee, woodpeckers, and warblers. From: http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/taigaA.html

Three of the common conifers are evergreens; spruce, fir, and pine. The fourth common conifer is the tamarack, or larch, a deciduous tree. Under certain conditions, broadleaf trees, such as birch and aspen, are able to survive the harsh climate of the taiga. From: http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/taigaP.html

In some parts of the Taiga, prevailing winds during the rest of the year create lopsided trees and shrubs. The cold wind damages or kills growth on the side of the tree the wind encounters first. The tree's leeward side is protected from the wind and so remains relatively undamaged. From: http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ns/cbreton/natcul/natcul1biii_e.asp