Sustainable Biomes Task
By Lili Blazquez 9R
Introduction:
Taiga biomes, also known as boreal or coniferous forest biomes, cover roughly 17% of the Earth’s
surface, making them the largest biomes in the world. However, due to the many of resources which
these forests obtain, they are put at risk of exploitation.
Location:
These biomes are located in a circumpolar belt in the far Northern Hemisphere, slightly below the
tundra biome, and cover parts of North America and Eurasia. Specifically, the East Siberian Taiga
stretches over 20 degrees of latitude and 50 degrees of longitude, giving it a total area of over 3.9
million kilometres. The northern-most border of the biome extends far enough to reach the Arctic
Circle, while its southern-most border has an approximate latitude of 52°N.
Physical Characteristics:
The taiga biome has a few defining characteristics, including the vegetation which grows there, and
the climate. The most common species of flora which can be found in this biome is evergreen, or
coniferous, trees. The trees were given their name due to the fact that they stay green and never
drop their leaves, or needles, throughout the year, even though winter temperatures can reach as
low as -50°C. These freezing winters can continue for over six months, while summers only last for
anywhere between one and three months. This leaves a very short season for plant-life to flourish,
especially due to the layer of permafrost which develops, covering the soil, and the average summer
temperature of only 10°C.
Human Activity and its Impacts:
Taiga biomes offer a variety of resources which are essential for human survival. Traditionally, the
wood used for construction, heating and cooking came from the forests located within the biome,
however, the increased global demand for cheap wood and paper in today’s society has put a strain
on its supplies. Additionally, mass clearings have been created in order to create room for oil and gas
exploration in the area due to the ‘ever-increasing demand’ for petroleum. This is especially relevant
to the East Siberian Taiga as both its central and southern subzones have been greatly affected by
what the World Wildlife Foundation defines as ‘intensive clear-cuts’. These acts are a real threat to
taiga biomes around the world and can result in major epidemics such as deforestation. In parts of
Canada and Russia, many have even been struck by issues such as insect plagues and acid rain, all
due to the extensive logging which has occurred. Another critical matter which has had a disastrous
result on the biome is climate change. This has progressed to the point where the forest’s edges
have begun to spread further north and are replacing sections of the Tundra biome.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, if destructive human activities such as deforestation, as well as the developing
problem of climate change continue, the forests we continue to rely of will be destroyed. However,
if immediate action is taken, we can stop the impacts of negative behaviours which people continue
to display towards taiga biomes and the forests which they encompass.
Word count: 500 words
Bibliography:
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/taiga/
https://www.ducksters.com/science/ecosystems/taiga_forest_biome.php
https://www.britannica.com/science/taiga
https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/pa0601
“Investigating Biomes.” Oxford Insight Geography: Australian Curriculum for NSW Stage 5,
by Drew Collins et al., Oxford University Press, 2016, pp. 44–45.
https://www.bu.edu/gk12/olga/EastSiberianTaiga.htm
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/taiga.htm
http://www.barrameda.com.ar/ecology/the-tundra-and-taiga.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20090316135659/http://www.ups.edu/x6111.xml
