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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