The taiga biome has long, cold winters and short, cool summers with low precipitation. It is dominated by coniferous trees like spruce, fir, and pine that are adapted to the climate with needle-like leaves and thick bark. Common animal species include bears, wolves, lynx, and birds that have insulating fur or feathers. The taiga stores a large amount of carbon and covers a significant portion of the northern hemisphere.

2. Typical Climate of the Taiga
• Subarctic climate with
very large temperature
range between seasons
• Long and cold winter is
the dominant season

3. Annual Precipitation vs. Temperature for
Various Biomes
• Lowest annual average
temperatures, after the
tundra, and permanent ice
caps
• Low precipitation
(generally 40 inches
annually), rain primarily in
the summer, but also as
fog and snow

4. Types of Plants
• Evergreens
• Spruce
• Fir
• Pine
• Tamarack
• Birch
• Aspen

5. Characteristics of Plants
• Sun often low in the sky
• Not many nutrients
• Growing new leaves = Energy
• Keep leaves all year
• Needle-like structures limit water loss
• Evergreens have little sap so the
needles don’t freeze
• Needles contain chemical that repels
animals from eating it
• Conical shape allows snow to slide off and
not break branches
• Evergreens grow thin and close together
to protect from cold/wind

6. Types of Animals
• American Black Bear
• Bald Eagle
• Bobcat
• Canadian Lynx
• Gray Wolf
• Grizzly Bear
• River Otter
• Wolverine

7. Characteristics of Animals
• Snow, cold, and scarcity of food make life difficult,
especially in the winter months
• Some animals migrate south, while others hibernate
• The tough ones simply cope with the environment, and
display these types of features:
• Sharp teeth for hunting (meat-eaters)
• Insulating feathers or fur
• Claws

8. Interesting Fact!
• The taiga is the largest terrestrial biome in the world, which extends across North
America, Europe, and Asia

9. More Interesting Facts!
• Trees of the taiga make up about 29% of the world’s forest cover
• Fires are very common in the taiga, but are necessary
• The taiga stores more Carbon than the temperate and tropical forest
combined

10. References
• http://www.public-domain-image.com/flora-plants-public-domain-images-pictures/trees-public-domain-images-pictures/conifer-
spruce-trees-pictures/frost-on-spruce.jpg.html
• http://hdw.eweb4.com/out/735078.html
• http://espacepourlavie.ca/en/northern-territory-taiga-and-tundra
• http://www.public-domain-image.com/fauna-animals-public-domain-images-pictures/bears-public-domain-images-
pictures/grizzly-bear-on-a-rock-overlooking.jpg.html
• http://www.public-domain-image.com/fauna-animals-public-domain-images-pictures/lynx-cat-public-domain-images-
pictures/bobcat-sitting-in-tree.jpg.html
• http://www.public-domain-image.com/fauna-animals-public-domain-images-pictures/foxes-and-wolves-public-domain-images-
pictures/an-endangered-gray-wolf-peers-out-from-a-snow-covered-shelter.jpg.html
• http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Wolverine_on_rock.jpg
• http://www.museevirtuel-
virtualmuseum.ca/edu/ViewLoitDa.do%3Bjsessionid=0F069167ED924C06AF1F13ECF024E753?method=preview&lang=EN&id=124
0
• http://www.public-domain-image.com/flora-plants-public-domain-images-pictures/trees-public-domain-images-pictures/aspen-
trees-pictres/aspen-woods.jpg.html
• http://www.public-domain-image.com/flora-plants-public-domain-images-pictures/trees-public-domain-images-pictures/conifer-
spruce-trees-pictures/spruce-tree-in-mountains.jpg.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Abies_fabri_in_mist.jpg
• http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/taigaP.html
• http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/taiga.htm
• Www.blueplanetbiomes.org/taiga_animal_page.htm
• http://www.glencoe.com/qe/qe136nationaltest.php?qi=4309&st