Taiga or Boreal Forests (Evergreen Forests of the North)

The Taiga biome includes the forests of the cold climates of high latitudes and high altitudes, covering approximately 11 % of the Earth’s land. Taiga forests are dominated by conifers, especially spruces, firs, and larches, and certain kinds of pines. Aspens and birches are important flowering trees. Boreal forests are characterized by dense stands of relatively small trees, typically under 30 m, which form dense shade and making walk difficult. Although cover very large areas, relatively few important species of trees occur in taiga. There are only about 20 major tree species in North American boreal forests, for example. Boreal forests are among the most economically important biomes as they are the source of much lumber and paper pulp.

The dominant animals of boreal forests include a few large mammals (moose, deer, wolves, and bears), small rodents (squirrels and rabbits), small carnivores (foxes), many insects, and migratory birds, especially water fowl and carnivorous land birds, such as owls and eagles.

Disturbances—particularly fires, storms, and outbreaks of insects—are common in the boreal forests.