Boreal Forests

By Sean McCauley

Location

• Boreal forests are found only in the northern hemisphere located just under the tundra. Boreal comes from the Greek word meaning north.

Climate

• In a boreal forest winter lasts over half the year.

• The annual temperature range can be as much as 100 degrees Celsius.

• Average precipitation ranges from 200 to 600 mm.

Land of Evergreens

• Although mostly dominated by evergreens, deciduous trees such as aspen and birch do grow here but are few and far between, willows can also be found near the shores of lakes and rivers.

Forest floor

• Because of low temperatures and the low ph of the soil plant litter decays slowly. Because of this most trees in boreal forests have shallow roots to take advantage of nutrients left in the plant litter.

Large amount of diversity

• Boreal forests are home to the largest members of deer family, moose and caribou. Also the boreal forest is home to large predators which include wolfs, black, grizzle, and brown bears.

Smaller animals

• Boreal forests are home to many other species including the lynx, wolverine, snowshoe hare, porcupines and squirrels.

Threats to boreal forests

• Deforestation• Oil/Natural Gas

extraction• Man made forest fires