Taiga is a significant forest area. The geographical position of the taiga is quite extensive - it occupies the northern part of Asia, Canada, the Far East and Europe. The climate, fauna and flora in this natural area are quite diverse. The extreme southern border of the taiga is located in the northern part of the island of Hokkaido (Japan), and the northern one is on the Taimyr Peninsula.
Temperature conditions
The region is characterized by severe long winters and warm but short summers. In winter, temperatures can drop to -50°C in Yakutia and Canada, and to -25°C in the Ussuri taiga. Winters here are cold with loose deep snow, and summers are quite hot with a lot of mosquitoes and midges. During the summer period in Canada and the Far East, 27-30°С of heat is observed. In the Far East, summers are quite stuffy and rainy, and winters are windy. In Western Siberia, winters are snowy, and summers are predominantlydry.
Spring comes late in these regions. Only in early April does the snow begin to melt. When it seems that it is warm, the next day the weather can suddenly turn bad and the cold comes again and snow falls. Leaves on trees usually appear only in late May or early June.
The geographical position of the taiga contributes to the fact that summer here begins only in June and ends in August. But at the same time, it can be quite hot. As a result, forest fires often occur. Less frequently, summers can be rainy and cold. Snow sometimes falls in early June.
Types and features of the taiga
There are 2 types of taiga:
- light coniferous;
- dark coniferous (the most common).
Features of the geographical location of the taiga are that it is located in a humid temperate zone. The basis of its vegetation is coniferous. The taiga zone was formed even before the onset of the Ice Age. The taiga is also divided into subzones: northern, middle and southern. In terms of latitudinal extent, this region is considered one of the largest climatic zones on the planet.
Geographical position of the taiga in Russia
The taiga is the largest natural area of the Russian Federation. It stretches in the widest and uninterrupted strip across the entire state up to the Pacific Ocean. Its greatest width is in Western Siberia (about 2000 km). In this place, the flat taiga will merge with the mountain taiga of the Baikal region and the Sayan. If you pay attention tothe geographical location of the natural zone of the taiga in Russia, it becomes clear why it is so beautiful.
The Russian taiga is characterized by sufficient and excessive humidity. There are many lakes and swamps here. Surface runoff in this zone is higher than in other natural zones. The density of the river network is quite significant. The rivers feed mainly on melted snow waters. In connection with this fact, floods are observed here almost every spring.
Taiga is a huge space where coniferous forests are located. Soddy-podzolic and podzolic soils were formed to the west of the Yenisei River, and permafrost-taiga soils were formed to the east.
Vegetation
The geographical position of the taiga also affects the diversity of flora and fauna. Boreal coniferous forests are characteristic of temperate and subpolar climatic zones. In general, there are about 30 endemic families of vascular plants, which, as a rule, consist of one species and most often monotypic.
There are forests of larch, spruce, fir, pine and Siberian cedar in the region. Hardwoods such as birch, alder and aspen are also found in the taiga.
Animal world
In general, the fauna of the taiga is much richer than in the tundra zone. In North America, the pronghorn family and the rodent family are common. In Central Asia, there are selevinive. In the subarctic zone, families of mole, hare, mouse, squirrel, leather, hamster,voles and mustelids. Ground squirrels, gray voles, shrews, hares, beavers, bighorn sheep, ermine, white and brown bears, red deer, elk, bighorn sheep and others live in the northern part of Eurasia and North America.
The geographical location of the taiga zone, covering the shores of the Arctic Ocean, has a beneficial effect on the life of the following animals and birds in this region: walrus, loon, seal, polar bear, gulls. The tundra is inhabited by wolves, lemmings, partridges, white hare, snowy owls. The taiga is home to migratory birds: swans, geese, terns, ducks, waders. They nest in these regions during the short northern summer. In spring, the reindeer migrates to the northern regions, where it gives birth, and returns to the taiga for the winter. This is due to the fact that in winter in these places there is a relatively thin layer of snow, which makes it easier for the animal to forage.
The geographical position of the taiga in Russia contributes to the fact that lynx, wolf, wolverine, brown bear, sable, marten, ermine, arctic fox, elk, musk deer are found here. Beaver, squirrels, voles, raccoon dog, chipmunk, flying squirrel, pikas are also found here. Among the birds, woodpeckers, various species of owls, nutcrackers, jays, crossbills, and black grouse should be noted.
To the south, in broad-leaved and mixed forests, all large animals were almost completely exterminated as a result of the development of these territories by humans. To date, only insignificant populations of beaver, wild boar, deer, brown bear, elk, deer, mink andbadger.
Protection of the taiga
The Siberian taiga and the taiga of Eurasia are called the "lungs" of our planet. The carbon and oxygen balance of the surface atmospheric layer essentially depends on the state of these forests. Human activity constantly harms these unique natural landscapes. To protect these zones in Eurasia and North America, many national parks and reserves have been created.
Taiga is a harsh and at the same time very picturesque land. Its main we alth is forest, rivers, animals and minerals. Here they are engaged in the extraction of oil, coal and gas. Humanity is simply obliged to closely protect and protect these territories.
