Charlotte Johnson TAIGA-‐ riffic!
[� Large ecoregion in east Russia [� 1,505,700 miles squared [� Climate: subarctic( tropical deciduous – shedding leaves and coniferous); high continentally( 40 degrees to-‐ 62 degrees)
[� Winters tend to be long and dry and very cold. Summers are temperate and usually quite warm for a northerly region
[� Topography: wide, flat plains with karst topography; contrasted to the west of Siberia which has wet bogs and wetland areas. Drunken Forest, when the permafrost thaws, nearby trees with very short roots to lean in a depression
[� Flora: vast, dense forests with Cranberry and Bilberry bushes dominating; pine forests composed of birch and poplar and there is the Angarra River basin [� Fauna: brown bears, Eurasian wolf and moose / reindeer; Siberian Tiger [� Conservation status à� protected but is listed as‘ relatively stable / intact’ Main Threats: poaching and clear-‐ cut logging in the southern and central portions of the region; protected by WWF however, the diversity of the taiga ecosystem is not completely represented and protected areas are located far apart à� animal species will soon disappear and become extinct due to human hunting
THREATS and MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES à�
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THREAT-‐ Hydroelectric power: damaging water systems, affecting flow patterns and disrupting the landscape / more awareness of the negative effects of hydroelectric power STRATEGY – People should inform themselves of human impacts and the dangers that can affect the biome. More advertising and awareness needs to be distributed. THREAT – Deforestation: Humans need wood and therefore trees are chopped down to be used as pulp and paper; animals lose their habitats and have no where else to live STRATEGY – Parts of the Taiga are being protected by organisations to save the trees; recycling paper can reduce the amount of logging for trees; more awareness through websites such as WWF are promoting the protection of Taiga regions THREAT – poaching of moose and reindeer STRATEGY – enforce laws that restrict poachers( especially without a license to partake in that activity); placing logistical support and assistance on the ground within the forest ecosystems so there is constant monitoring; patrolling and monitoring THREAT – Clear cut logging STRATEGY – choosing to partake in selective logging as well as making a conscientious effort to reforest and replenish
TAIGA’ s and their contribution to the world à�
[� The glaciers that melt during the summer provide fresh water to approximately 40 % of all people on earth