The Taiga Biome A biome refers to the existent habitat in varied places identified through the existent mountain tops, deserts, tropical forests together with the existent climate in the area (Whitney, 2002). The taiga identifies the biome of the need leaf forest and remains characterized by cold weather leading to limited food supplies in the winter (Marietta, n.d.). Food shortages influence the development of a hibernation tendency among the majority of animals in the taiga during the winter season. Taiga refers to forest in Russian and is identified as the largest biome in the world (Whitney, 2012). Taiga is considered expansive as it stretches from Eurasia to North America and remains located below the tundra biome. The winters are considered
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The summer experiences varying temperatures with lows of -7° C (20° F) and highs of 21° C (70° F). The summers are characterized by warm weather coupled with rain attributed to high levels of humidity. Additionally, the summers are considerably short in comparison to the winters as they last between 50 and 100 days (Whitney, 2002). The region experiences high levels of precipitation identified at 30-85 cm (12-33 in), which is experienced in form of rain, snow and dew. The summer in the taiga records the highest levels of precipitation due to high levels of rain in the summer (Bioexpedition, …show more content…
The fauna in the taiga region is identified diverse comprising of herbivorous and carnivorous mammals, migratory birds, insects and fish (Whitney, 2002).
The majority of the animals have developed adaptations to the extreme weather conditions by breeding in the winter and raising the young in the summer (Bioexpedition, 2015). Additionally, the majority of the mammals and birds have developed additional insulation through fat, which remains instrumental in the provision of heat during the cold period. Some of the animals including birds, reptiles and amphibians have adopted the migratory process to the south as an alternative to the cold weather. High levels of migration and emigration have led to continued depreciation of the existent population in the region (Whitney, 2002).
Biotic Factors
Arctic Fox: Alopex lagopus
The Arctic fox resides in the far north areas of the Arctic tundra. During the winter season, the fur of the fox is white while during the summer the fur turns to a grayish brown color to camouflage the fox. Additionally the fox has a long bushy tail that aids it to change direction quickly when hunting prey.
Bighorn sheep: Ovis
The summer experiences varying temperatures with lows of -7° C (20° F) and highs of 21° C (70° F). The summers are characterized by warm weather coupled with rain attributed to high levels of humidity. Additionally, the summers are considerably short in comparison to the winters as they last between 50 and 100 days (Whitney, 2002). The region experiences high levels of precipitation identified at 30-85 cm (12-33 in), which is experienced in form of rain, snow and dew. The summer in the taiga records the highest levels of precipitation due to high levels of rain in the summer (Bioexpedition, …show more content…
The fauna in the taiga region is identified diverse comprising of herbivorous and carnivorous mammals, migratory birds, insects and fish (Whitney, 2002).
The majority of the animals have developed adaptations to the extreme weather conditions by breeding in the winter and raising the young in the summer (Bioexpedition, 2015). Additionally, the majority of the mammals and birds have developed additional insulation through fat, which remains instrumental in the provision of heat during the cold period. Some of the animals including birds, reptiles and amphibians have adopted the migratory process to the south as an alternative to the cold weather. High levels of migration and emigration have led to continued depreciation of the existent population in the region (Whitney, 2002).
Biotic Factors
Arctic Fox: Alopex lagopus
The Arctic fox resides in the far north areas of the Arctic tundra. During the winter season, the fur of the fox is white while during the summer the fur turns to a grayish brown color to camouflage the fox. Additionally the fox has a long bushy tail that aids it to change direction quickly when hunting prey.
Bighorn sheep: Ovis