What Are the Landforms of the Taiga?

Taiga

• The taiga, commonly called boreal forests, includes areas with extreme concentrations of coniferous trees, more often called evergreens. On Earth, taiga exists primarily at high latitudes in the northern hemisphere, but pockets of boreal forests can be found across the world. Taiga generally exists in regions that were formally glaciated. Much of the soil in these areas is permafrost, meaning it is frozen near the surface. The word "taiga" is Russian and was created to classify the coniferous forests that cover the majority of northern Asia.

Climate

• Throughout the year, temperatures in the taiga are colder than Earth's average. In high-latitude taiga, winters are harsh, and temperatures below freezing can last for up to six months. Summers are short, lasting anywhere from 50 to 100 days. High-latitude taiga receive anywhere from 15 to 20 inches of precipitation each year. In low-latitude taiga, altitudes are higher, which consistently yields lower temperatures than nearby sea-level areas. Around half of the year is free of frost, and annual precipitation varies between 18 to 80 inches, depending on the location.

Plains

• Taiga plains only exist at high latitudes. An example of a plains taiga is in the Northwest Territories in Canada, just east of the arctic. The terrain in this area is generally flat with occasional slight changes in topography. Temperatures here can dip to -15 degrees Celsius, making survival difficult for many species. Despite these extremely cold temperatures, this taiga hosts a number of unique plant and animal species. Mammals such as the black bear, wolf, lynx and moose call this Canadian taiga home. Birds such as the bald eagle, peregrine falcon and common raven are prevalent in this area as well.

Mountains

• At low latitudes taigas typically exist in mountain ranges, where temperatures are cold enough to support conifers. The eastern United States has a dense boreal forest in the Appalachian Mountains. In the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, conifers regularly grow at altitudes up to 5,780 feet. Wildlife flourishes in Appalachia. Scientists estimate that as many as 1,500 American black bears may live in Smokey Mountains National Park alone. Other common animals in this taiga are the river otter, elk and the northern flying squirrel..