The taiga biome is the largest biome in the world and stretches over Eurasia and North America. The taiga is also located near the top of the world, just below the tundra biome.
Biotic Factors
Native Plant Species
Paper Birch- The paper birch has a thin bark that can be peeled and separated, like paper. The bark, wood, and sap of the tree are used by humans.
Eastern Red Cedar- The eastern red cedar is a small evergreen that grows to a height of about 10-50 feet. It is very durable and is used as fence posts and contains and oil that is used as moth repellent, medicines, and perfumes. The tree's fruit also provide food for animals.
Other native plant species include balsam fir, black spruce, white fir, siberian spruce, douglas-fir, and jack pine.
Invasive Plant Species
Common Weed
Other invasive plant species include
Native Animal Species
Wolverine- The wolverine s a carnivore that can grow up to 87 centimeters and is the largest member of the weasel family. It is found from the western US up to Alaska.
Long-Eared Owl- The long-eared owl is about 35 centimeters long and mostly hunt small mammals for food. The owl is found from southern canada to the US and sometimes migrates to Mexico in the winter.
Other native animal species include the american black bear, bald eagle, canadian lynx, gray wolf, river otter, and the bobcat.
Invasive Animal Species
Muskrat
Abiotic Factors
The total yearly precipitation is about 12-33 inches. The yearly range of temperature is about -54 degrees to -1 degrees Celsius during the winter and about -7 degrees to 21 degrees Celsius during the summer. Because of the tilt of the earth axis, the taiga has long nights in the winter and long days in the summer.
The soil of the taiga is similar to the tundra because of the location. Some parts of the taiga have permafrost while the ground remains damp and soft in order parts. Parts that do not have permafrost have a layer of hard rock close to the surface that prevent water from escaping underground.
The taiga biome is located between 50 degrees latitude north and the Arctic Circle. The altitude is over 500 meters.
Human Interactions With The Environment
Humans do not usually live in the taiga biome because of its harsh environment, but if they do, they would need to support themselves by finding a way to obtain food, water, and shelter during the harsh winters. Humans threaten the taiga biome by cutting down the trees for paper and also mining the minerals that can be found in the biome. To preserve the biodiversity of the taiga biome, the amount of trees cut down and pollution should be regulated.