- North America, Europe and Asia
- Northernmost forests on the planet
- Also called boreal forests
Environmental Conditions:
- Cold, snowy winters down to -65 degrees Fahrenheit
- Brief summers with average temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit
- Winters last six to nine months
- Less than one percent of the annual precipitation falls as rain
- Snow accumulation of 18 to 80 inches
- Thin, nutrient poor soil
Niche:
- Largest land biome on earth
- Covers almost 12 million square miles
- Most of the soil in the taiga is permanently frozen
- Short growing season limits the time plants have to grow and produce seeds
- Plants in the taiga have adapted by growing close to the ground where the snow can offer some protection against cold temperatures
- Mosses and lichen carpets the forest floor
- Trees of the taiga (spruce, fir, and pine) have shallow root systems close to the ground where the soil thaws
- Trees also protect themselves by growing waxy leaves and needles and by slowing the amount of water they lose during dry periods
- Summer sun has long day that allow plants to grow almost 24 hours per day
- Animals that live in the taiga include wolves, bears, elk, moose, hares, and lynx
- These animals have adapted to their environment by growing thick coats
- Some animals have broad paws or hooves to help them walk in the snow
- Others, like the snowshoe hare, change the color of their fur to blend with the snow