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Boreal Also referred to as Taiga, these coniferous forests stretch across the northern polar regions of Eurasia (Siberia, Scandinavia) and North America (Canada, Alaska), generally between 50-60 degrees latitude, where winters are very cold and summers are short, cool and moist. Precipitation is usually 12-33 inches spread out evenly through the year.The trees have adapted to harsh conditions including intense cold, severe winds, and occasional droughts. The growing season is limited to 3-4 months. Soils are generally thin, nutrient poor and acidic, but a relationship between the fungi mycorrhiza and the trees roots ensures the they receive the necessary minerals. The canopy provides little light penetration and the understory is limited; lichen and mosses dominate the groundcover.

Photo: W. McCrory

Trees Dominated by evergreen conifers with needle shaped leaves including pine, spruce and firs, but also contains hardier deciduous trees such as larches, aspens and alders.

Plants Lichens and mosses are the most important.

Animals Species diversity is considerably lower than in temperate deciduous and mixed forests. Many animals use migration or hibernation to avoid the winter season. Animals include bear, lynx, wolf, hare, chipmunk, moose.