The Taiga

1. The Taiga Biome Research By Selah Jordan

2. The TaigaGeography and climate • The Taiga is located in North America, Europe, and Asia. • The Taiga is very cool all year round with many types of trees. • The soil in the Taiga is very thin and acidic. It’s not good for much growth. • The Taiga gets about 10-30 inches of rain per year. • The temperature in the Taiga is mild in the summer and very cold in the winter. The Taiga has short summers and long winters.

3. The TaigaBiodiversity • There are many different plant and animal species in the Taiga such as: pines, conifers, spruce, firs, oak, birch, willow, alder, squirrels, elk, jays, snowshoe hares, moles, bears, ermine, wolves, deer, moose, lynx, and wolverines. • In all there are more than 20 different species of plants and animals.

4. The TaigaAdaptations Needed for Survival • Conifers don’t drop their leaves to save energy and waxy needles on pines help conserve water through transpiration. Thick fur helps animals keep warm during the winter. Most animals that survive here camouflage themselves to blend in with the snow. Other animals migrate to a warmer area during the winter.

5. The TaigaInteractions of Biotic and Abiotic • Biotic- Plant seeds provide food for small animals such as squirrels or birds. • Abiotic- The bogs and ponds in the Taiga provide a great summertime breeding place. Fires also help enrich the soil.

6. What is Biodiversity? • Biodiversity is the variety of plants, animals, and any other Biotic or Abiotic factors in a habitat.

7. How does biodiversity contribute to the sustainability of an ecosystem? • Biodiversity contributes to the sustainability of an ecosystem by giving humans a variety of plants and animals to live off of. Biodiversity also helps clean the ecosystem such as absorbing chemicals in wetlands or providing oxygen for us to breathe.