Boreal Forests

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Boreal Forests

• By Sean McCauley

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Location

• Boreal forests are found only in the northern
  hemisphere located just under the tundra. Boreal
  comes from the Greek word meaning north.

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Climate

• In a boreal forest winter lasts over half the
  year.
• The annual temperature range can be as much as
  100 degrees Celsius.
• Average precipitation ranges from 200 to 600 mm.

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Land of Evergreens

• Although mostly dominated by evergreens,
  deciduous trees such as aspen and birch do grow
  here but are few and far between, willows can
  also be found near the shores of lakes and
  rivers.

5
Forest floor

• Because of low temperatures and the low ph of the
  soil plant litter decays slowly. Because of this
  most trees in boreal forests have shallow roots
  to take advantage of nutrients left in the plant
  litter.

6
Large amount of diversity

• Boreal forests are home to the largest members of
  deer family, moose and caribou. Also the boreal
  forest is home to large predators which include
  wolfs, black, grizzle, and brown bears.

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Smaller animals

• Boreal forests are home to many other species
  including the lynx, wolverine, snowshoe hare,
  porcupines and squirrels.

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Threats to boreal forests

• Deforestation
• Oil/Natural Gas extraction
• Man made forest fires