The Taiga Biome
Jake Hoffman
7th grade, Waccamaw Middle School
A biome is a large, distinctive complex of plant communities created and maintained by climate. There are 8 biomes across the continent, but more than 150 different “eco-regions”. The Taiga is the largest biome and the second coldest biome in the world covering 11% of the earth’s surface. It goes across a broad area of North America, Europe and Asia to the southern border of the arctic tundra. The Taiga is also known as the coniferous or boreal forest. The latitude and longitude of Taiga is 50 degrees north latitude to the Arctic Circle (approximately 50 degrees to 60 degrees north latitude). It is defined by its northern and southern borders only, so longitude is not used to define its location. Much of the Taiga was once covered with glaciers, but as the glaciers disappeared lakes and streams began to form in the cuts and depressions left in the landscape.
The Taiga has interesting weather. Long, cold winters and short, wet summers are typical of the region. In the winter, the Taiga is covered in a blanket of snow with lakes and streams frozen because of sub-zero temperatures for 6 – 7 months. Temperatures can drop below -76 degrees F in the winter and in the summer reach 180 degrees F. This type of harsh climate results in few people and animals being able to survive in the Taiga.
The Taiga doesn’t have as many animal and plant species as tropical forest biomes. It has millions of insects in the summer and birds migrate there to feed and nest. Most of the animals that live in the Taiga are predators and carnivores, like the lynx, wolf, moose, fox, etc. Not many plants can survive there either. The orchid is one and the most common trees are conifers or cone bearing trees one of which is the Balsam Fir.
There are a few large cities in the southern parts of the Taiga, such as Moscow and Toronto, but most of the Taiga is unpopulated with humans. There are only a few native people who still live in the Taiga. The major industries include logging and mining; however, this also results in soil depletion.
The environment of the Taiga is destroyed little by little every day by both nature and humans. Forest fires caused by lightning, parasites causing disease to the trees and logging are just a few. The Taiga is damaged every day by things that affect many of the world’s biomes, like acid rain caused by pollution. Animals of the Taiga are being hunted and trapped for fur and many fish have mercury poisoning.
Soil depletion happens when crops and trees are removed from the soil, and then the soil gets washed away. This takes about five years to naturally fix. The trees and crops that are removed usually affect the wildlife that lives in the Taiga.
Animals of the Taiga are mostly predators like the Lynx, Bobcat, Mink, Ermine and Wolverines. Wolverines are members of the weasel family and are very territorial and they are known as gluttons eating just what they need and they burying it only to come back later to eat it. Although, the wolverine may look like a weasel or a small bear, it is actually not much larger than a Cocker Spaniel or Beagle dog. Wolverines weigh about 30-40 pounds and 3 to 4 feet long and brown in color with two pale stripes down its back. But, the wolverine is deceptive. They are one of the strongest animals relative to their size. The wolverine originates from Canada, but has moved throughout the world after breeding.
The wolverine is a nocturnal animal and is known for its large feet which are equipped with pads and sharp claws that can dig into the heavy snow and ice to propel them across the frozen ground, as well as their piranha-like teeth. They seek caribou herds during migration and feed off the carcasses that bears and wolves leave behind using their strong jaws to crush the bones. Wolverines can be found not only in Taiga, but in the Tundra and boreal forests in the northern parts of North American, Asia and Europe. They prefer to be where there are no humans.
When the wolverine seeks food, it isn’t always about meat, as it is an omnivore during the summer months and feeds on wild berries and edible roots. The wolverine isn’t a cold blood killer either; it protects others in need and brings them food at times. Usually the wolverine doesn’t live in groups, but it can have pups and it feels the need to protect them. This is a strange and interesting animal and it is not a coincidence that it lives in the Taiga. This biome has what the wolverine needs to survive. The wolverine’s only handicap is that is has poor eyesight.
Unlike other biomes, the Taiga has less plant life. The most common trees that can be found are what are called cone-bearing trees, like the Balsam Fir. The Balsam Fir is the third most common tree in the Taiga. It is also the tallest tree in the Taiga and it can grow 40 to 80 feet high. It looks like one of the trees many of us may use for Christmas, but it has tougher bark. Its bark is sometimes used to fashion hunting knives for people who hunt in the Taiga. The Balsam Fir is home to a lot of animals too. Some of the animals that live in it are squirrels, mice, birds, raccoons, and voles. Small plant life like orchids also grows beneath the heavy branches of the tree.
The Balsam Fir can also be found in practically all other biomes of the world. The Balsam Fir has dark green needles and no leaves. The needles have a waxy coating that keeps the trees warm in the winter, letting ice and snow slide off it easily. The same foliage keeps the tree cool in the summer months by deflecting heat. The large trees block the treacherous winds, rain and snow providing protection for other small plant and animal life in the Taiga. One of the dangers of much of the plant life in the Taiga, including the Balsam Fir is fires, insects, and pesticides.
The Balsam Fir is a tree that can show its adaptation. Growing new leaves, or needles, takes a lot of energy and the frozen winter ground doesn’t allow for trees to get enough water. Those thin, waxy needles limits water loss through transpiration (the passing of water through a plant from the roots through the vascular system to the atmosphere) allowing the Balsam Fir just what it needs to survive. The trees can also grow taller when the weather is warmer and nutrients from the decay on the forest floor can be soaked up by the trees. Also those trees that are closer to streams or water grow faster as well.
Studying the variety of differences of biomes across the world has been an interesting and exciting process. Saving the world and all of its ecosystems are of great importance to the future generations of the world.
Jake's diagrams and photos didn't show up on the blog, but we really like your essay! Great work, dude! - Top
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