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Boreal Forest Biome

Boreal Forest Biome. Anne Paulin July 6, 2010. Global Distribution. The largest biome stretches across northern latitudes i n Canada, Alaska, Russia and Scandinavia just below the tundra regions The Boreal Forest is also called taiga (Russian for forest). Major Climate Characteristics.

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Boreal Forest Biome

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  1. Boreal Forest Biome Anne Paulin July 6, 2010

  2. Global Distribution The largest biome stretches across northern latitudes in Canada, Alaska, Russia and Scandinavia just below the tundra regions The Boreal Forest is also called taiga (Russian for forest)

  3. Major Climate Characteristics The result is a cool and dry climate with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. Precipitation (Snow) Low: 20 mm in January High: 70 mm in July Can vary from 20-200 cm annually Temperature Low: -10˚C in January High: 15˚C in July

  4. Species Animals • Mammals: moose, elk, wolves, coyotes, bears, lynx, hares, porcupines, burrowing rodents • Lots of insects in the summertime • More than 300 bird species regularly migrate to the Boreal forests (nearly 50% of the species found in the U.S. and Canada!) to breed during the brief summer. Plants Moss, lichens, coniferous trees such as spruce, hemlock, fir Decomposition is slow due to harsh climate. Thus soil is acidic and nutrient poor.

  5. Net Primary Production (NPP) The Boreal Forest NPP is about 800-900 g C/m2/yr The short summer only allows for plants with speedy photosynthesis processes (mosses, lichens, coniferous trees).

  6. Indigenous peoples First Nations people including but not limited to, in North America: • Cree • Innu • Dene • Athabascan

  7. Natural Resources Minerals Oil Natural gas Timber

  8. Major Human Impacts Impacts • Mining • Exploration for oil and natural gas • Logging • Pollution (air/water) These are threats to both abiota and biota and thus the entire ecosystem Possible solutions • Continued exploration of alternate energy sources • Recycling The harsh environment and short temperate season stresses biodiversity. Due to this fragility, scientists around the world closely monitor the Boreal Forest regions of the planet.

  9. For more information: • Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University: www.borealforest.org • Boreal Songbird Initiative: www.borealbirds.org • Oak Ridge National Lab, Distributed Active Archive Center for Biogeochemical Dynamics: daac.ornl.gov

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