BOREAL FOREST

BOREAL FOREST

1. Also known as Taiga -Russian word that means "swampy coniferous forest" (Oxford Dictionary, 2016)-

   • Climate
     • cold weather, not as extreme as in Tundra
       • Temperature
         • average of 64 to 72°F (17 to 22°C approx.)
           • winter: -14°F (-25°C)
     • subarctic
   • Flora
     • Not varied, only evergreens
       • able to survive thanks to their needle leafs and their wax-like substance that protects them against cold
         • Ex: pines, spruce, firs, tamarack, among others.
           • • Tamarack
               • scientific name: Larix laricina
               • Even though is "evergreen" its leaves fall on winter and grow once more in February -known as deciduous conifer-
   • Location
     • Europe, Asia and Northern part of North America
       • Russia
         • considered the largest Taiga with an extension of 5800 km, according to National Geographic-
       • Alaska
       • Canada
         • holds approx. 30% of all boreal forests (WWF, 2016)
     • represents 29% of the world's forest cover (Heimbuch, 2011)
       • Threats
         • Human Activities
           • Climate change
             • consequences for animals -who would change habitats and new foreign species might be attracted, affecting the balance of the ecosystem.-
           • Logging
   • Fauna
     • adapted to hibernate or migrate during the winter (coldest season)
     • Most representative:
       • Both the Grizzly and Black bear, Wolves,, Arctic ground squirrel, Snowshoe hare, moose, Lynx, and deer. Birds like Owls and Northern goshawk,, and some insects are also included
         • • Grey Wolf
             • scientific name: Canis Lupus

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