What is taiga? Coniferous forests of the taiga: description, flora and fauna

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:43

The largest natural area in Russia is the taiga. Coniferous forests can be confidently called the “lungs of the Earth”, because the state of the air, the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide depend on them. Rich stocks of timber, mineral deposits are concentrated here, many of which are being discovered to this day.

Location in Russia

The taiga is spreading in a wide strip in our country. Coniferous forests occupy most of Siberia (Eastern, Western), the Urals, the Baikal region, the Far East and the Altai Mountains. The zone originates on the western border of Russia, it stretches to the Pacific coast - the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk.

The coniferous forests of the taiga border on other climatic zones. In the north they are adjacent to the tundra, in the west - with broad-leaved forests. In some cities of the country, there is an intersection of taiga with forest-steppe and mixed forests.

Located in Europe

The coniferous forests of the taiga cover not only Russia, but also someforeign states. Among them are the countries of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Canada. All over the world, taiga massifs occupy a vast territory and are considered the largest zone on the planet.

The extreme boundary of the biome on the south side is located on the island of Hokkaido (Japan). The northern side is bounded by Taimyr. This location explains the leading position of the taiga in terms of length among other natural zones.

Climate

A large biome is located in two climatic zones at once - temperate and subarctic. This explains the diversity of weather conditions in the taiga. The temperate climate ensures warm summers. The average temperature of the natural zone in the summer is 20 degrees above zero. The cold arctic air affects the temperature fluctuations and affects the taiga winters, the air here can be cooled to 45 degrees below zero. In addition, piercing winds are observed in all seasons.

The coniferous forests of the taiga are characterized by high humidity due to their location in swampy areas and low evaporation. In summer, most of the precipitation falls in the form of light and heavy rains. In winter, there is a lot of snow - the thickness of its layer is 50-80 centimeters, it does not melt for 6-7 months. Permafrost observed in Siberia.

Features

The largest, longest and richest natural zone is the taiga. Coniferous forests occupy fifteen million square kilometers of the land area of the Earth! Zone width inthe European part is 800 kilometers, in Siberia - more than 2 thousand kilometers.

The formation of taiga forests began in the last era, before the onset and melting of glaciers. However, the zone received a detailed analysis and characteristics only in 1898 thanks to P. N. Krylov, who defined the concept of "taiga" and formulated its main characteristics.

The biome is especially rich in water bodies. Famous Russian rivers originate here - Volga, Lena, Kama, Northern Dvina and others. They cross the taiga of the Yenisei and the Ob. In coniferous forests there are the largest Russian reservoirs - Bratskoye, Rybinsk, Kamskoye. In addition, there is a lot of groundwater in the taiga, which explains the predominance of swamps (especially in Northern Siberia and Canada). Due to the temperate climate and sufficient moisture, there is a rapid development of the plant world.

Taiga subzones

The natural zone is divided into three subzones, which differ in climatic features, flora and fauna.

• North. Characterized by a cold climate. It has harsh winters and cool summers. Huge areas of land are occupied by swampy terrain. Forests in most cases are undersized, there are medium-sized spruces, pines.
• Average. Differs in moderation. The climate is temperate - warm summers, cold but not frosty winters. Many swamps of various types. High humidity. Trees of normal height, mostly blueberry spruce forests.
• South. Here you can see the most diverse animaland flora, coniferous forests. The taiga has an admixture of broad-leaved and small-leaved tree species. The climate is warm, characterized by hot summers, which last for almost four months. Reduced waterlogging.

Forest types

Depending on the vegetation, there are several types of taiga. The main ones are light coniferous and dark coniferous forests. Along with trees, there are meadows that arose on the site of deforestation.

• Light coniferous type. It is mainly distributed in Siberia. Also found in other areas (Urals, Canada). It is located in a sharply continental climate zone, characterized by abundant rainfall and moderate weather conditions. One of the common types of trees is pine - a photophilous representative of the taiga. Such forests are spacious and bright. Larch is another common species. Forests are even lighter than pine forests. Tree crowns are rare, so in such "thickets" a feeling of open area is created.
• Dark coniferous type - most common in Northern Europe and mountain ranges (Alps, Altai Mountains, Carpathians). Its territory is located in a temperate and mountainous climate, characterized by high humidity. Fir and spruce prevail here, juniper and dark coniferous pine are less common.

Plant world

Even at the beginning of the 19th century, no one divided natural areas, and their differences and features were not known. Fortunately, today geography has been studied in more detail, and the necessary information is available to everyone. Coniferoustaiga forest - trees, plants, shrubs… What is the characteristic and interesting flora of this zone?

In the forests - weak or absent undergrowth, which is explained by insufficient amount of light, especially in dark coniferous thickets. There is a monotony of moss - as a rule, only a green species can be found here. Shrubs are growing - currants, junipers, and shrubs - lingonberries, blueberries.

The type of forest depends on climatic conditions. The western side of the taiga is characterized by the dominance of European and Siberian spruce. Spruce-fir forests grow in mountainous regions. Clusters of larches stretch to the east. The Okhotsk coast is rich in a variety of tree species. In addition to coniferous representatives, the taiga is also fraught with deciduous trees. Mixed forests consist of aspen, alder, birch.

Animal world of taiga

The fauna of the coniferous forests of the taiga is diverse and unique. A wide variety of insects live here. Nowhere is there such a number of fur-bearing animals, including ermine, sable, hare, weasel. Climatic conditions are favorable for sedentary animals, but unacceptable for cold-blooded creatures. Only a few species of amphibians and reptiles live in the taiga. Their low numbers are associated with severe winters. The rest of the inhabitants have adapted to the cold seasons. Some of them fall into hibernation or anabiosis, while their vital activity slows down.

What animals live in coniferous forests? Taiga, where there are so many shelters for animals and an abundancefood, the presence of such predators as lynx, brown bear, wolf, fox is inherent. Ungulates live here - roe deer, bison, elk, deer. On the branches of trees and under them live rodents - beavers, squirrels, mice, chipmunks.

Birds

More than 300 species of birds nest in the forest thickets. Particular diversity is observed in the eastern taiga - capercaillie, hazel grouse, some varieties of owls and woodpeckers live here. Forests are characterized by high humidity and numerous water bodies, so waterfowl are especially widespread here. Some representatives of coniferous expanses have to migrate to the south in winter, where the conditions of existence are more favorable. Among them are the Siberian thrush and the forest warbler.

Man in the taiga

Human activities do not always favorably affect the state of nature. Numerous fires caused by the carelessness and thoughtlessness of people, deforestation and mining lead to a decrease in the number of forest wildlife.

Picking berries, mushrooms, nuts are typical activities popular with the local population for which the autumn taiga is known. Coniferous forests are the main supplier of timber resources. Here are the largest deposits of minerals (oil, gas, coal). Thanks to moist and fertile soil, agriculture is developed in the southern regions. Breeding animals and hunting wild animals is common.