The Boreal Forest

The Boreal Forest, also referred to as Taiga, is the second largest biome in the world and contains 33% of the Earth's forests (Ruckstuhl et al., 2007). It is located in the northern hemisphere, along Canada, Alaska, and Russia. This biome has changed over time due to climate change which is increasing the temperature and the frequency of fires (DeAngelis, 2008). This forces a longer summer and a shorter winter. This biome has changed over time due to climate change and colonization. Other problems consist of deforestation and degregation of species.

The climate of this biome is typically cold throughout the year but they do experience the 4 seasons- winter, summer, spring, and fall. You can expect frigid winters and short dry summers (DeAngelis, 2008). As you can see in the graph below, the temperatures rise in the summer seasons of June-October, due to the earth being closer to the sun. They also generally see peak rainfall between July and August due to the increase in humidity and evaporation (Woodward, 2022). The climate has shaped this biome due to having a smaller growing period for vegetation and less species diversity due to the harsh climate. The major driver of this climate is going to be the temperature. This is due to the high latitudes which bring high-pressure systems, cold winters, and humid summers (Frelich et al.,2024). Higher latitudes (such as the boreal forest) are not in the direct angle of the solar radiation and create colder environments, unlike habitats closer to the equator.

The Boreal Forest is made up of a lot of different topography including, rivers, streams, forests, and mountains (Let's Talk Science, 2020). There is anything from steep mountain terrains to flat landscapes leading to the oceans. Wildfires are seen as natural disturbance regimes that can spread easily due to the highly flammable factors of the forests (Frelich, 2024). These fires can be essential to the Boreal Forest ecosystems and habitats. Some species actually benefit from forest fires to be able to multiply and reproduce (Williams, 2021). The forest also benefit new vegetation growth and can destroy the old growth.

The physical geography of this biome is typically on sand dunes, thin soil, alkaline and acidic rock types (Michigan State, n.d). As well as some coastal communities are on sand and limestone cobble (Michigan State, n.d). The soil type of this area is typically podzols, these are gray soils that are thin, acidic, and poor in nutrients (RAMP, n.d). Luckily this type of soil supports many different trees and other vegetation that lives in these biomes. These are formed when precipitation exceeds evaporation and organic matter is pushed downwards by downward-moving acidic water (RAMP, n.d). The Boreal Forest supports many different types of water resources, such as rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands. These water sources play an important role in the freshwater sources for species (RAMP., n.d).

Most of the vegetation grows in the spring and summer time due to the warmer weather. The boreal forests contain many different types of tree species such as evergreens, balsam fir, white spruce, northern white cedar, and many more (Michigan State University, n.d). Most of these tree species are coniferous, meaning they produce their seeds in cones (Let's Talk Science, 2020). These trees are meant to handle the harsh conditions that are in this environment and still protect their seeds. This biome does not have as diverse species in vegetation but is dense in the quantity of plants and trees. Compared to some of the other biomes closer to the equator, the boreal forest does not have that many different species. There is around 20 different species in this biome. These vegetation thrive in the sand dunes and the thin soil that makes up the soil type of this area.

The boreal forest houses many different types of animal species. There are many large mammals in this area such as elk, deer, buffalo, and bear. Also smaller mammals in the area as well, such as beavers and raccoons. Due to the harsh elements of this biome, animals need to have a thick coat and reserve fat for the winter to survive. Birds are also seen in the area, but they typically fly south in the winter months to stay out of the harsh winter. You can also see migratory fish, such as salmon who prefer the colder waters (Let's Talk Science, 2020).

There is a fairly low biodiversity in the boreal forest compared to the species in the tropical rainforest and tropical deciduous forest. The closer you go towards the equator, the more diverse the species are. Due to the harsh environment and the dry thin soil, there are not many species that can adapt to this. This biome still has around 85 species of mammals and around 20 species of plants (Kayes and Mallik, 2020).

Animals have both physical and behavioral adaptation for the change of climate in the boreal forest. Some of the physical adaptation of the animals in the region is animal's thick winter coat. Due to the boreal forest being lower in temperature, this is crucial in their survivals. A behavioral adaptation is hibernation. The long winters combined with the short growing season of the boreal forest, leads to less food sources for animals (Mosnier, 2007). For an animals such as a Black Bears, they are able to store food sources in their fat, and be able to use it in the winter. This better prepares them for the seasons where there are less food sources around. Birds also have physicals and behavioral adaptations such as migration. During the winter months, they fly south towards the warmer weather and fly back in the summer.

Plants as well have both physical and behavioral adaptation for the changing climate in this biome. During the winter months, vegetation typically goes dormant and doesn't grow during those seasons. Trees and plants grow during the few summer months that the boreal forest has between April-August. Another adaptation is the slender, conical shapes of many trees in the boreal forest that help them shed snow easier ( Michigan State, n.d). This prevents snow from weighing down the branches and allowing them to break easier.

A big environmental issue that is affecting the boreal forest is deforestation. The forest is a source of habitat for both vegetation and animals. Clearing these trees can be removing habitats, food sources and life of these species. When forests have been deforested, this provides an decrease of resource available for animals who have resided here for either general life or hibernation (Mosnier, 2007). This will decrease the biodiversity in the area and causing species to lose their natural habitats. Ultimately, this can lead to the decrease of that species and create a strain on ecosystems. Deforestation can also lead to further problems such as higher carbon emissions, faster warming of the planet and even precipitation levels in the area. Trees play an important role in the water cycle, they absorb water from their roots and move through the trees, this is called transpiration (Human rights career, 2022). This ends up getting released back into the atmosphere. Deforestation has many more factors other than decreasing the biodiversity and this can lead to bigger issues for the planet.

Below is a map of deforestation rates within the world. You can see that the boreal forest a lot of pink, which correlates to the loss of forest.