Adaptations of Taiga Forests to
climate
These forests contain species such as Douglas Fir and Scots pine, and can grow
to heights in excess of 30m. Each forest contains only one type of tree and has
little vegetation on the forest floor because it is dark and the soil is acidic.
Trees are evergreen so can photosynthesise when temperatures rise above 3°C
so maximise available sunlight.
Leaves are needle shaped and therefore have a small surface area and are waxy.
This reduces moisture lost by transpiration, important as these areas receive
little moisture (less than 500mm)
The conical shape of the trees gives them stability in high winds.
Bendy trunks also guard against high winds.
Branches slope downwards so they do not snap under the weight of snow.
Seeds are protected against cold in cones.
Trees have wide spreading roots in shallow soils. Soils are shallow because of
slow rates of decay.
Activities
1) Annotate one of the pine trees below to show how that tree
has adapted to it's physical environment. Use the list of adaptations
above to help.
2) Read about the
Taiga on Bytesize then take the
test
3)
Using the map below
a)
Describe the location of the Taiga
forest.
b)
Why is it found in these locations?
4)
Try the
Taiga quiz
5) Try the
Taiga webquest
Find out more;
Think quest information on the Taiga
Blue planet
biomes website
Earth Observations on Coniferous Forests
Map of the location of the Taiga/coniferous forest