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Biome

Boreal Forest

Also Known As Taiga Taiga is the standard ecological synonym used interchangeably with Boreal Forest in the scientific literature (the Russian-derived term), not a regional variant name in the way Chaparral/Mediterranean Shrubland pair.
Temperate and Boreal Forest Biomes

Also called taiga, the largest land biome on Earth by area, forming an unbroken belt of coniferous forest across the high latitudes of North America, Scandinavia and Siberia just south of the tundra. Long, severe winters and a short growing season favor needle-leaved evergreen trees such as spruce, fir and pine, whose narrow conical shape sheds snow and whose needles resist winter water loss far better than a broad deciduous leaf could. The boreal forest holds a large share of the world's terrestrial carbon stock in its trees and underlying peat, and supports wide-ranging predators such as the gray wolf across its full breadth.

Facts
Climate
Annual Precipitation (mm)
450 1
Cited range runs roughly 300 to 840 millimeters a year across the taiga biome; 450mm sits within it as a representative figure, not a single measured site.
Typical Low Temperature (C)
-30 1
Cited winter figures for taiga range from an extreme low near -54C up to an average around -3C; -30C represents a typical severe-winter figure between those bounds, not the extreme.
Typical High Temperature (C)
20 1
Connections

Demonstrates

Hibernation, Natural Phenomena
Source Encyclopaedia Britannica

Home To

Acasis viretata, Species
Source Wikidata: Acasis viretata
Amanita Muscaria, Species
Source Amanita muscaria (Wikipedia)
American Dog Tick, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Dermacentor variabilis
American Pika, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Ochotona princeps
Bengal Tiger, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Panthera tigris
Canada jay, Species
Source Canada jay (Wikipedia)
Canada Lynx, Species
Source Wikipedia: Canada Lynx
Canadian Boreal Forest, Ecosystems
Source Boreal Forest of Canada (Wikipedia)
Dawson's caribou, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Rangifer tarandus
Eurasian Lynx, Species
Source Eurasian Lynx (Wikipedia)
Feather Moss, Species
Source Wikipedia: Hylocomium splendens
Feral Goat, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Capra hircus
Fly Agaric, Species
Source Amanita muscaria (Wikipedia)
German Cockroach, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Blattella germanica
Glittering Wood-moss, Species
Source Wikipedia: Hylocomium splendens
Golden Eagle, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Aquila chrysaetos
Gray Wolf, Species
Source Encyclopaedia Britannica
Great Horned Owl, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Bubo virginianus
Hylocomium Splendens, Species
Source Wikipedia: Hylocomium splendens
Lesser Yellowlegs, Species
Source Lesser Yellowlegs (Wikidata)
Long-tailed duck, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Clangula hyemalis
Magellanic Bogmoss, Species
Source Sphagnum magellanicum (Wikipedia)
Moose, Species
Source Moose (Wikipedia)
North American Porcupine, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Erethizon dorsatum
Northern lapwing, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Vanellus vanellus
Painted Lady, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Vanessa cardui
Peregrine Falcon, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Falco peregrinus
Pileated Woodpecker, Species
Source Wikipedia: Pileated Woodpecker
Plagiomnium Affine, Species
Source Wikipedia: Plagiomnium affine
Red-stemmed Feathermoss, Species
Source Pleurozium schreberi (Wikipedia)
Rosebay Willowherb, Species
Source Wikidata: Rosebay Willowherb
Sable, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Martes zibellina
Scabies Mite, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Sarcoptes scabiei
Scandinavian Taiga, Ecosystems
Source World Wildlife Fund
Siberian Taiga, Ecosystems
Source East Siberian Taiga (Wikipedia)
Silverfish, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Lepisma saccharina
Silver-haired bat, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Lasionycteris noctivagans
Snowshoe hare, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Lepus americanus
Sphagnum magellanicum, Species
Source Sphagnum magellanicum (Wikipedia)
Stair-step Moss, Species
Source Wikipedia: Hylocomium splendens
Star-nosed Mole, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Condylura cristata
Taiga bean goose, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Anser fabalis
Trichinella Spiralis, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Trichinella spiralis
Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Species
Source Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Wikipedia)
White Spruce, Species
Source White Spruce (Wikipedia)
Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus), Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Cygnus cygnus
Wolverine, Species
Source Wolverine
Wood Tick, Species
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Dermacentor variabilis
Sources
1. Taiga Climate (Blue Planet Biomes)
Blue Planet Biomes
  • Taiga Climate - Precipitation
    The taiga climate has an average annual rainfall of 12 - 33 inches (30 - 84 cm).
  • Taiga Climate - Summer Temperatures
    Summer's LOWEST temperature is 30 F. Summer's HIGHEST temperature is 70 F.
  • Taiga Climate - Winter Temperatures
    Winter's LOWEST temperature in taiga is -65F. Winter's HIGHEST temperature is 30 F. The average winter temperature is under 26.6F (-3C).
View the Source
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
  • britannica.com/science/taiga, opening definition
    taiga, biome (major life zone) of vegetation composed primarily of cone-bearing needle-leaved or scale-leaved evergreen trees, found in northern circumpolar forested regions characterized by long winters and moderate to high annual precipitation. The taiga, “land of the little sticks” in Russian, takes its name from the collective term for the northern forests of Russia, especially Siberia.
  • Home To: Gray Wolf
  • Demonstrates: Hibernation
View the Source
Taiga (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
Encyclopaedia BritannicaOpening definition
Quote, Opening definition
taiga, also called boreal forest, biome (major life zone) of vegetation composed primarily of cone-bearing needle-leaved or scale-leaved evergreen trees
View the Source
East Siberian Taiga (Wikipedia)
WikipediaHome To: Siberian Taiga, lead sectionView the Source
Boreal Forest of Canada (Wikipedia)
WikipediaHome To: Canadian Boreal Forest, lead sectionView the Source
World Wildlife Fund
World Wildlife FundHome To: Scandinavian TaigaView the Source
Moose (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationHome To: Moose, Wikipedia intro: "ly have pointed antlers with a dendritic ("twig-like") configuration. Moose inhabit the circumpolar boreal forests or temperate broadleaf and mixed forests of t..."View the Source
Wikipedia: Pileated Woodpecker
WikipediaHome To: Pileated Woodpecker, Wikipedia intro: "the black woodpecker. It inhabits deciduous forests in eastern North America, the Great Lakes, the boreal forests of Canada, and parts of the Pacific Coast. Thi..."View the Source
Amanita muscaria (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Home To: Fly Agaric, Wikipedia intro: "suggests that it is a species complex. It is a widely distributed mushroom native to temperate and boreal forests of the Northern Hemisphere, now also naturalis..."
  • Home To: Amanita Muscaria, Wikipedia intro: "suggests that it is a species complex. It is a widely distributed mushroom native to temperate and boreal forests of the Northern Hemisphere, now also naturalis..."
View the Source
Eurasian Lynx (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationHome To: Eurasian Lynx, Wikipedia intro: "urope to Central Asia and Siberia, the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas. It inhabits temperate and boreal forests up to an elevation of 5,500 m (18,000 ft). De..."View the Source
Wikipedia: Hylocomium splendens
  • Home To: Feather Moss, Wikipedia intro: "ountain fern moss, is a perennial clonal moss with a widespread distribution in Northern Hemisphere boreal forests. It is commonly found in Europe, Russia, Alas..."
  • Home To: Stair-step Moss, Wikipedia intro: "ountain fern moss, is a perennial clonal moss with a widespread distribution in Northern Hemisphere boreal forests. It is commonly found in Europe, Russia, Alas..."
  • Home To: Glittering Wood-moss, Wikipedia intro: "ountain fern moss, is a perennial clonal moss with a widespread distribution in Northern Hemisphere boreal forests. It is commonly found in Europe, Russia, Alas..."
  • Home To: Hylocomium Splendens, Wikipedia intro: "ountain fern moss, is a perennial clonal moss with a widespread distribution in Northern Hemisphere boreal forests. It is commonly found in Europe, Russia, Alas..."
View the Source
Pleurozium schreberi (Wikipedia)
Home To: Red-stemmed Feathermoss, Wikipedia intro: "ing to the way the branches extend from the stem. The species is commonly found on the floor of the boreal forests of Canada, Scandinavia, and northern Russia...."View the Source
Sphagnum magellanicum (Wikipedia)
  • Home To: Magellanic Bogmoss, Wikipedia intro: "n's sphagnum, Magellan's peatmoss or midway peat moss, is a widespread species of moss found in wet boreal forest in the far south and southwest of South Americ..."
  • Home To: Sphagnum magellanicum, Wikipedia intro: "n's sphagnum, Magellan's peatmoss or midway peat moss, is a widespread species of moss found in wet boreal forest in the far south and southwest of South Americ..."
View the Source
White Spruce (Wikipedia)
Home To: White Spruce, Wikipedia intro: "Picea glauca, the white spruce, is a species of spruce native to the northern temperate and boreal forests in Canada and United States, North America. Picea gla..."View the Source
Wikipedia: Plagiomnium affine
WikipediaHome To: Plagiomnium Affine, Wikipedia intro: "Plagiomnium affine, the many-fruited thyme-moss, is a species of thyme-moss found in old-growth boreal forests in North America, Europe and Asia, growing in moi..."View the Source
Wikipedia: Canada Lynx
WikipediaHome To: Canada Lynx, Wikipedia intro: "a, Canada and northern areas of the contiguous United States, where it predominantly inhabits dense boreal forests. It is a specialist predator and depends heav..."View the Source
Canada jay (Wikipedia)
Home To: Canada jay, Wikipedia intro: "bber, moose bird, gorby, or whisky jack, is a passerine bird of the family Corvidae. It is found in boreal forests of North America, north to the tree line, and..."View the Source
Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Wikipedia)
Home To: Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Wikipedia intro: "as the lingonberry, partridgeberry, foxberry, mountain cranberry, or cowberry. It is native to the boreal forest and Arctic tundra throughout the Northern Hemis..."View the Source
Wolverine
Wikimedia FoundationHome To: Wolverine, Wikipedia 'Wolverine': found primarily in remote reaches of the northern boreal forests and subarctic and alpine tundraView the Source
Wikidata: Rosebay Willowherb
Home To: Rosebay Willowherb, IntroductionView the Source
Wikidata: Acasis viretata
Home To: Acasis viretata, IntroductionView the Source
Lesser Yellowlegs (Wikidata)
WikidataHome To: Lesser Yellowlegs, IntroductionView the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Erethizon dorsatum
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHome To: North American Porcupine, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
Quote, Home To: North American Porcupine, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
taiga taiga
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Condylura cristata
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHome To: Star-nosed Mole, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
Quote, Home To: Star-nosed Mole, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
taiga taiga
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Falco peregrinus
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHome To: Peregrine Falcon, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
Quote, Home To: Peregrine Falcon, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
taiga taiga
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Aquila chrysaetos
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHome To: Golden Eagle, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
Quote, Home To: Golden Eagle, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
taiga taiga
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Bubo virginianus
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHome To: Great Horned Owl, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
Quote, Home To: Great Horned Owl, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
taiga taiga
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Ochotona princeps
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHome To: American Pika, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
Quote, Home To: American Pika, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
taiga taiga
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Vanessa cardui
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHome To: Painted Lady, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
Quote, Home To: Painted Lady, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
taiga taiga
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Capra hircus
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHome To: Feral Goat, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
Quote, Home To: Feral Goat, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
taiga taiga
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Panthera tigris
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHome To: Bengal Tiger, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
Quote, Home To: Bengal Tiger, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
taiga taiga
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Blattella germanica
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHome To: German Cockroach, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
Quote, Home To: German Cockroach, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
taiga taiga
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Lepisma saccharina
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHome To: Silverfish, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
Quote, Home To: Silverfish, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
taiga taiga
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Sarcoptes scabiei
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHome To: Scabies Mite, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
Quote, Home To: Scabies Mite, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
taiga taiga
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Dermacentor variabilis
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
  • Home To: American Dog Tick, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
    taiga taiga
  • Home To: Wood Tick, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
    taiga taiga
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Cygnus cygnus
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHome To: Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus), Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
Quote, Home To: Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus), Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
taiga taiga
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Trichinella spiralis
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHome To: Trichinella Spiralis, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
Quote, Home To: Trichinella Spiralis, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
taiga taiga
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Clangula hyemalis
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHome To: Long-tailed duck, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
Quote, Home To: Long-tailed duck, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
taiga taiga
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Lepus americanus
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHome To: Snowshoe hare, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
Quote, Home To: Snowshoe hare, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
taiga taiga
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Vanellus vanellus
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHome To: Northern lapwing, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
Quote, Home To: Northern lapwing, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
taiga taiga
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Martes zibellina
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHome To: Sable, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
Quote, Home To: Sable, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
taiga taiga
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Anser fabalis
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHome To: Taiga bean goose, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
Quote, Home To: Taiga bean goose, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
taiga taiga
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Rangifer tarandus
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHome To: Dawson's caribou, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
Quote, Home To: Dawson's caribou, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
taiga taiga
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Lasionycteris noctivagans
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHome To: Silver-haired bat, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
Quote, Home To: Silver-haired bat, Habitat Regions, biome: taiga
taiga taiga
View the Source

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