Where is the Taiga Located?Where is the Taiga Located?

Taiga BiomeTaiga Biome TThe Taiga biome stretches across a large portion he Taiga biome stretches across a large portion

of Canada, Europe and Asia. It is the largest biome of Canada, Europe and Asia. It is the largest biome in the world. Winters are cold. Summers are warm. in the world. Winters are cold. Summers are warm. Lots of conifers grow here. Lots of conifers grow here.

PrecipitationPrecipitation

IIn the taiga, the average temperature is n the taiga, the average temperature is below freezing for six months of the year. below freezing for six months of the year. Total yearly precipitation in the taiga is 12 Total yearly precipitation in the taiga is 12 to 33 inches.to 33 inches.

Although the cold winters have some Although the cold winters have some snowfall, most of the precipitation comes snowfall, most of the precipitation comes during the warm, humid summer during the warm, humid summer months.  months. 

PrecipitationPrecipitation

Taiga TemperaturesTaiga Temperatures   Winter (-65 F to 30 F) (-54 C to -1 C) Winter (-65 F to 30 F) (-54 C to -1 C) Summer (20 F to 70 F) (-7 C to 21 C)Summer (20 F to 70 F) (-7 C to 21 C) Because of the tilt of the earth on its axis, in Because of the tilt of the earth on its axis, in

the taiga you'll find long nights in the winter and the taiga you'll find long nights in the winter and long days in the summer.  long days in the summer. 

During the summer months, the taiga fills up During the summer months, the taiga fills up with millions of insects. with millions of insects.

Birds, who eat insects, migrate every year for Birds, who eat insects, migrate every year for the plentiful food supply. the plentiful food supply.

The taiga is prone to wildfires. Many trees have The taiga is prone to wildfires. Many trees have adapted to this by growing thick bark, which adapted to this by growing thick bark, which can protect a tree from a mild fire. can protect a tree from a mild fire.

Flora of the TaigaFlora of the Taiga

TThe taiga is large and seemingly he taiga is large and seemingly homogeneous. homogeneous.

Acres and acres of the exact same tree Acres and acres of the exact same tree species are often the case. species are often the case.

Evergreen trees reign supreme -- miles upon Evergreen trees reign supreme -- miles upon miles of the exact same species are tree is miles of the exact same species are tree is often the case in the taiga. often the case in the taiga.

Spruce, hemlock and fir are the primary trees Spruce, hemlock and fir are the primary trees of the taiga.  of the taiga. 

There are a few broad leaf trees in the taiga: There are a few broad leaf trees in the taiga: birch, poplar, and aspen. birch, poplar, and aspen.

Flora cont…Flora cont…

Evergreen trees in the taiga keep their Evergreen trees in the taiga keep their leaves, but their cone shape helps leaves, but their cone shape helps prevent damage. Branches droop prevent damage. Branches droop downward, which helps shed excess downward, which helps shed excess snow.  snow. 

TTaiga trees tend to be conifers. Conifers, aiga trees tend to be conifers. Conifers, many of which are evergreen, produce many of which are evergreen, produce cones.cones.

SpruceSpruce

Hemlock Hemlock

Fir Fir

AspenAspen

BirchBirch

Fauna of the TaigaFauna of the Taiga

LLife in the taiga can be cold and dreary. ife in the taiga can be cold and dreary. Snow, cold, and a scarcity of food make Snow, cold, and a scarcity of food make life very difficult, especially in the winter. life very difficult, especially in the winter. Some taiga animals migrate south, Some taiga animals migrate south, others go into hibernation, while others others go into hibernation, while others simply cope with the environment.  simply cope with the environment. 

Bohemian Waxwing Bohemian Waxwing

Hawk Owl Hawk Owl

Ermine Ermine

Eurasian Beaver Eurasian Beaver

Snowshoe Rabbit Snowshoe Rabbit

Lynx Lynx

Marten Marten

Wolverine Wolverine