Taiga Fun Facts Essay Example
Taiga Fun Facts
By James Stuart, eHow Contributor
The taiga is an ecosystem, or biome, that makes up a significant part of Canada and the northern regions of Asia and Europe. The taiga is the world's largest biome and primarily comprises coniferous trees, which are made up of needles and stay green year round. The taiga biome is also known as the boreal forest.
Temperature
The taiga has a very cold climate with winter temperatures as low as minus-54 degrees Celsius. Summer temperatures reach as high as 21 C. On average, the taiga gets 12 to 33 inches of annual precipitation. Despite the cold temperatures, snow is uncommon, and most of this precipitation comes in the form of rainfall during the humid summers. Taiga ecosystems are found in northern locales where the tilt of the earth ensures long nights and short days in the winter.
Trees and Plants
Taiga areas are made up primarily of evergreen trees. These trees have developed several methods of coping with the extreme climates of the north. Evergreen trees have needles instead of leaves, which help keep the trees warm in the winter. Wildfires are common in the taiga, and coniferous trees have evolved thick trunks that are resistant to fire. Most other plants find it difficult to survive in these conditions, but moss and lichen thrive.
Animals
Animals living in the tundra have evolved to cope with, or avoid, the harsh winter conditions. Some, like grizzly bears, spend the fall eating huge quantities of food in preparation to hibernate through the long winters. Other animals, such as bobcats and red foxes, are adept at hunting out the hidden habitats of rodents. Most of these animals have thick coats of fur to protect them from the cold. In the summer, insects flood into the taiga and birds, including the bald eagle, migrate north to feast.
Other Facts
Cold annual temperatures mean that organic material decomposes very slowly in the taiga. Dead plant material blankets the ground, giving
By James Stuart, eHow Contributor
The taiga is an ecosystem, or biome, that makes up a significant part of Canada and the northern regions of Asia and Europe. The taiga is the world's largest biome and primarily comprises coniferous trees, which are made up of needles and stay green year round. The taiga biome is also known as the boreal forest.
Temperature
The taiga has a very cold climate with winter temperatures as low as minus-54 degrees Celsius. Summer temperatures reach as high as 21 C. On average, the taiga gets 12 to 33 inches of annual precipitation. Despite the cold temperatures, snow is uncommon, and most of this precipitation comes in the form of rainfall during the humid summers. Taiga ecosystems are found in northern locales where the tilt of the earth ensures long nights and short days in the winter.
Trees and Plants
Taiga areas are made up primarily of evergreen trees. These trees have developed several methods of coping with the extreme climates of the north. Evergreen trees have needles instead of leaves, which help keep the trees warm in the winter. Wildfires are common in the taiga, and coniferous trees have evolved thick trunks that are resistant to fire. Most other plants find it difficult to survive in these conditions, but moss and lichen thrive.
Animals
Animals living in the tundra have evolved to cope with, or avoid, the harsh winter conditions. Some, like grizzly bears, spend the fall eating huge quantities of food in preparation to hibernate through the long winters. Other animals, such as bobcats and red foxes, are adept at hunting out the hidden habitats of rodents. Most of these animals have thick coats of fur to protect them from the cold. In the summer, insects flood into the taiga and birds, including the bald eagle, migrate north to feast.
Other Facts
Cold annual temperatures mean that organic material decomposes very slowly in the taiga. Dead plant material blankets the ground, giving