Where are dark coniferous taiga forests located. Taiga forests. Relief and soil
taiga forests, forests taiga zone, are characteristic of the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Main climatic features areas of distribution of taiga forests - long cold winters with stable snow cover, a relatively small amount of precipitation in flat conditions and its increase in mountains. In the north, the taiga forests border on the forest-tundra, in the south, on coniferous-deciduous forests. Taiga forests are common in the Asian and European parts of Russia, Scandinavian countries, North America both in flat and mountainous conditions. The vast majority of taiga forests in the European territory of Russia and in Western Siberia are located on flat areas. Mountain taiga forests predominate in Eastern Siberia and the Far East. In general, taiga forests occupy about 90% of the forest area of the Russian Federation.The predominant bedrocks in the taiga forests are conifers. Therefore, the taiga zone is also called the zone coniferous forests. Small-leaved forests (mainly of birch and aspen) in most of the taiga zone are derivatives; they appeared on the site of coniferous forests as a result of fires and concentrated logging. Primary types of small-leaved forests are rare. In terms of structure and productivity, taiga forests are divided into several subzones in the latitudinal direction. The northernmost one is a sparse taiga subzone, where coniferous stands of a very low quality class grow, with a small canopy density and tundra vegetation. In the north of this subzone, the taiga passes into the forest-tundra. To the south of the sparse taiga subzone, the northern taiga is located, which is characterized by more dense coniferous forests of IV-V quality classes growing on gleyed podzols. The subzone of the middle taiga is characterized by dense forest stands, mainly of class III. The soils are typical podzols. The south of the taiga zone is occupied by the southern taiga subzone. It is dominated by coniferous stands of II-I quality classes. The participation of small-leaved species in the upper canopy is typical, sometimes there are indigenous plantations of small-leaved species. The soil cover is represented by podzolic and sod-podzolic soils. There are no clearly defined geographical boundaries between the subzones of taiga forests.
But tentatively in the European part of Russia, the northern parts of the Arkhangelsk and Murmansk regions, the republics of Komi and Karelia are referred to the sparse taiga and northern taiga forests. Middle taiga forests are concentrated mainly in the southern parts of the republics of Karelia and Komi, the northern parts of the Vologda, Kirov, Leningrad regions. The subzone of southern taiga forests covers Kostroma, southern part Vologda, most of Leningrad, northern parts of Novgorod, Tver, Yaroslavl regions, Udmurt Republic, the central part of the Kirov region. In the western part of the northern taiga European Russia pine forests predominate, in the eastern - spruce forests with an admixture of fir. In the Komi Republic and the Arkhangelsk region. larch also grows, but does not form large massifs here, being an admixture in pine and spruce forests. Not large areas occupied by Siberian cedar pine. In the southern taiga subzone, there is an approximately equal ratio of pine and spruce forests. In Siberia, S. F. Kurnaev distinguishes 3 large provinces according to the nature of forest vegetation: West Siberian, Central Siberian, East Siberian. In the West Siberian province, the northernmost flat part is a sparse taiga dominated by Siberian larch and Siberian spruce. To the south is the zone of the northern taiga with a predominance of Siberian stone pine and the participation of Siberian spruce, in some places - Siberian larch. The zone of the middle taiga is represented by plantations of a mixed composition of Siberian stone pine, spruce and Siberian fir, and the southern taiga - Siberian fir with the participation of Siberian stone pine and Siberian spruce. The Central Siberian province is characterized by a more severe climate and deep permafrost. The most cold-resistant species dominates here - Dahurian larch, which most often forms pure plantations. In the form of a small admixture, there are dark coniferous species - spruce, fir, Siberian cedar pine. In an even harsher continental climate In the East Siberian province, Dahurian larch also dominates on permafrost soils. If in the European North along the northern border of forests pine, spruce, birch grow, then in Siberia - larch. Severe climatic conditions of the Central Siberian and East Siberian provinces, an insignificant layer of thawing soil predetermine the low productivity of plantations.
The taiga forests of the Far East are characterized by a great variety of forest formations and species composition of trees and shrubs. This is due to the very large amplitude climatic conditions in the latitudinal direction and vertical zonality of mountain taiga forests. The most extensive forest formation in the Far East is larch forests. The participation of larch in forest landscapes increases from south to north, where it dominates. Forests form several types of larch - Dahurian, Okhotsk, Olginsk, Primorskaya. Spruce-fir forests are widespread. home forest-forming species here - Ayan spruce, which is usually accompanied by white fir. Ayan spruce - valuable tree species with high physical and mechanical properties of wood; according to these indicators, fir is significantly inferior to spruce. Spruce-fir forests are concentrated mainly on the slopes of mountains from 400-500 to 1000-1200 m above sea level. seas. On the flat territory, they move far to the north. A typical species of the forests of the Far East is Korean cedar pine (Korean cedar). The mountain taiga forests of Siberia and the Far East are characterized by vertical zonality, which corresponds to the zonality in the latitudinal direction of lowland forests. Thus, the upper mountain belt with the most severe climatic conditions in terms of the composition of rocks and the productivity of plantations is an analogue of the northern taiga subzone on the plain, the middle and southern mountain belts are respectively identical to the middle and southern taiga on the plain. The upper boundary of taiga forests varies considerably depending on climatic conditions: the more favorable they are, the higher the boundary. So, in the most severe climate of the north of Eastern Siberia, it is 800-900 m, in the mountains of Sikhote-Alin - 1300-1400 m, in the mountains of the Western Sayan - 1900-2000 m, in the southern regions of the Republic of Tyva - 2100-2400 m above sea level. seas.
The largest forest in the world - the Siberian taiga
Forests are the lungs of our planet. Many processes on our planet depend on them. The largest forests in the world amaze with their scale, unique plants and animals. Where is the largest forest?
On the territory of Russia there is the largest forest on the planet - the Siberian taiga. Taiga forests begin in the European part of Russia and, growing from the upper reaches of the Volga and the Gulf of Finland to the East, cover the Urals, Altai, all of Western and Eastern Siberia, making their way to the steppe latitudes and capturing Far East. The taiga zone occupies more than 79% of the country's forest fund and extends over 9,000 km.
The taiga is located in the subarctic and temperate. This explains the natural differences in different parts of the taiga. The dark coniferous taiga is rich in such trees as spruce, cedar, fir, and the light coniferous taiga is famous for its numerous pines and larches. In places where coniferous trees are cut down, aspens and birches grow. It is gloomy in the dark coniferous taiga, as the crowns tall trees close and almost do not miss Sun rays. In these places there is no undergrowth, and only mosses and ferns grow, and the air is saturated with resinous and coniferous aromas. It is also the main habitat for brown bears.
And in the light-coniferous taiga, larch has become the queen of trees. This is a very hardy tree, the root system of which is able to survive even permafrost. Larch wood is very durable construction material capable of lasting hundreds of years. The light coniferous parts of the taiga have a more diverse flora. These places are rich in dwarf birch, alder, shrubs with berries.
The largest forests in Russia, together with others, occupy 45% of the area of the entire country. This is about 17% of the world's forest area. The Siberian taiga enriches the entire northern hemisphere of the planet with oxygen. The largest forests are an important component of the biosphere of our Earth.
Eastern Siberia is a taiga region, where the taiga zone extends to the borders with Mongolia, occupying an area of almost 5 million square kilometers, covers the watersheds of the Siberian plateau, running up the steep slopes of mountain ranges and through narrow gorges, approaching the barren peaks of the East Siberian mountains.
There are almost 4 thousand square meters. km is occupied by forests, the total wood reserves of which are simply huge!
Vegetation of the East Siberian taiga
The vegetation and soil of the taiga zone of Eastern Siberia develop under more favorable conditions than in the tundra and forest-tundra zones.
A variety of trees grow here: cedars, pines, firs and spruces, where aspen, alder and birch are occasionally mixed with them.
On sandy soils, taiga larches form like pine forests; on moist soils, damp larch taiga develops, which, at constant humidity, gives way to moss and sphagnum taiga.
In drier places, lingonberry larch taiga is widespread (especially in the easternmost regions).
Of the other indigenous types, birch forests are quite widespread here (in the southern part). The closer the taiga comes to Pacific Ocean, the more often fragrant poplar comes across among the described trees.
But what is the most important and basic tree in Eastern Siberia?
Right! It's larch!
Two of the three taiga trees necessarily belong to this incredibly amazing genus of conifers: Siberian larch and Dahurian larch (Larix dahurica).
The latter grows both on loams, and on sands, and on peat bogs, freely growing on permafrost soils, since permafrost is a common occurrence in this part of the East Siberian taiga.
True, for an inexperienced person who visits the taiga forest on short visits or very rarely, it is difficult to distinguish one type of larch from another.
Siberians adore larch for everything: for the unusual smell of newly born needles, for its beauty, for the hot fire in the stove, for the strength of fences and houses.
Now furniture in houses is made of pressed shavings and sawdust, rarely anyone undertakes to make it from larch.
However, earlier in Siberia, beds were made only from larch, as over time it becomes stronger than stone. And yet, by folk omens, bugs are afraid of larch smell, just as moths are afraid of cedar.
The nature, location, occupations and life of the population of Eastern Siberia bear a more or less clearly expressed imprint of the influence of the taiga.
Climate and landscape of the East Siberian taiga
Such a special and unique, in every sense, East Siberian taiga begins, where the climate is very harsh and sharply continental.
Precipitation here is less than in the western regions, the thickness of the snow cover is small, and permafrost is almost ubiquitous. Summer in the taiga is not hot, but not particularly cold, though short, and winter lasts a long time with heavy snowfalls and long frosts.
The terrain is more rugged than that of its neighbors.
There are few swamps and are found mainly in the lowlands and on flat interfluves.
The East Siberian taiga is located on the territory of the basins of the two largest Siberian rivers - and.
Fauna of the East Siberian taiga
The fauna of Eastern Siberia is much richer than it is inhabited by such major large representatives of it as: wolf, wolverine, Brown bear, fox, sable, reindeer, Siberian roe deer, wild boar, lynx, hares, squirrels, chipmunks.
In the East Siberian rivers, there is simply a huge number of various species of fish.
Of the birds: capercaillie, black grouse, hazel grouse, nutcrackers and many birds, such as the Black Stork, Black Crane, Peregrine Falcon and Golden Eagle and others, are listed in the Red Book.
The East Siberian taiga presents great opportunities for long-term survival, and the abundance of dry wood makes it easier to build a camp, and there will be no problems with fuel for a fire.
Happy travels and excursions!
At the mention beautiful word"taiga", there is an image of a huge mysterious impenetrable forest. What do we know about the taiga zone, what kind of vegetation can be found here, and what group of plants do taiga trees belong to? Let's take a closer look at the forest space, which occupies a vast territory on our earth.
Taiga is a collection of coniferous forests. This evergreen, impenetrable coniferous massif reigns in the north of Eurasia and North America and is located simultaneously in the subarctic and temperate climatic zones.
Climatic conditions vary throughout the zone, but are quite severe: summers are short, winters are long and cold. Precipitation here exceeds evaporation, in addition, there are underground waters and, in some places, areas of a shallow frozen layer. Therefore, the taiga is characterized by swampy and lake areas.
Certain groups of taiga plants make it possible to divide it into dark coniferous and light coniferous.
Light coniferous taiga
Distributed in Central and Eastern Siberia. In addition, light coniferous forests can be found in the Urals, Western Siberia, and Canada.
Light coniferous tree species grow here, which include pine and larch. Accordingly, there are pine ( European part Russia and Siberia) and larch forests (Eastern Siberia). These forests are spacious and light.
Dark coniferous taiga
Distributed in Northern Europe, North America, mountains of the Northern Hemisphere (Altai Mountains, Carpathians, Alps, Canadian Cordillera, Sayans).
Dark coniferous forests are common in areas with significant moisture. In Siberia, dark coniferous taiga is found only high in the mountains, which is associated with an increase in precipitation here.
Spruce and fir grow here, very shade-tolerant plants with dense crowns that form such a dense canopy that permanent twilight reigns in the forests.
Taiga structure
What group do taiga plants belong to? Like all other plants, they can be divided into three large groups: trees, shrubs and herbs. Let's look at these three groups.
A common feature of the coniferous forests of the taiga is the simplicity of the structure. Under the crowns of the upper tree layer and a small undergrowth there is a solid carpet of mosses, and above it there are very few species of grasses and shrubs.
Tree layer, or which group of plants the taiga trees belong to
Taiga forests are of great value, and they are called the green lungs of our planet. The taiga is a huge coniferous kingdom, respectively, the tree layer is represented here by coniferous trees.
Light coniferous taiga, as already mentioned, is pine and larch. But along the banks of rivers and lakes you can find birch, elfin cedar, aspen, cedar pine.
In the dark coniferous taiga, the main representatives of the tree layer are common spruce, fir and Siberian pine. In addition to conifers, there are pine, birch, sometimes larch, and in the south of the European taiga zone - gray alder, elm, oak, Norway maple, linden.
Herb-shrub layer
The harshness of the taiga revives the undergrowth - shrubs and grasses. Here you can find such shrubs as: juniper, cedar dwarf, rosemary, buckthorn, wolf's bast, honeysuckle. From herbs: meadowsweet, Asian bathing suit, Siberian cow parsnip, Siberian brunner, northern linnaeus, springweed.
Undoubted wealth of the taiga zone are berry bushes and shrubs: lingonberries, blueberries, cranberries, blueberries, blackberries, crowberries. You can also find raspberries, currants, rose hips.
Fairly large areas are occupied by meadow plants of the taiga. Meadows are widespread along the banks of the rivers, which give good harvests of valuable fodder and medicinal herbs. Characteristic representatives of meadows are: winding pike, white-bearded and sheep fescue. It must be said that the taiga meadows arose in those spaces where the forest was cut down by man. That is, they are of anthropogenic origin.
moss cover
Quite a lot of species of mosses grow in the coniferous forests of the taiga - these evergreen plants that remain green even in winter under a layer of snow, and come to life with the advent of spring.
A feature of mosses is that they grow only in fairly humid conditions. In the absence of moisture, the life processes of mosses seem to freeze and they dry out. However, they do not die, and as soon as the rain passes, the moss carpet comes to life.
Mosses are shade-tolerant plants of the taiga, therefore, in dark coniferous spruce forests, where a very small amount of light penetrates, they completely fill the free space. Here they are represented by many types. In the light coniferous taiga, there are much fewer moss species.
The harsh conditions of the taiga zone limit the diversity of its flora, but, despite this, taiga plants form their own wonderful world, which, like all living things on our planet, strikes with its integrity and originality.
Taiga is called "green" for a reason. lungs of the planet". The vegetation of these vast forests, the largest of which are the Siberian and North American taiga biomes, maintains the balance of carbon and oxygen in the planet's atmosphere.
The evergreen taiga is divided into light coniferous, consisting mainly of pine and larch, and dark coniferous, dominated by Siberian cedar, spruce and fir. Vegetable world taiga is the kingdom of coniferous trees. Although, small-leaved species (birch, mountain ash, aspen, green alder) are occasionally found here. There are many swamps in these places, with their own ecosystem. Mosses, lichens, shrubs and mushrooms grow everywhere.
Let's take a closer look at some typical taiga plants:
Siberian spruce is one of the basic representatives of the dark coniferous taiga. Her needles, rich beneficial substances, essential oils and vitamins, releases antibacterial phytoncides into the air. Wood is successfully used in construction. spruce forest almost no undergrowth - in conditions of high humidity and shading created by the paws of spruces, only the most shade-loving plants survive.
Fir - conifer tree with soft needles. Fir branches are often used by hunters, preparing bedding for spending the night in the taiga. The resin of the tree is used as an antiseptic wound healing agent, and fir oil is a component of many cosmetics. Fragrant tea is brewed from pine needles. Fir wood is not a valuable building material.
Siberian cedar (Siberian cedar pine) is one of the main species of the dark coniferous taiga. Lives up to 800 years, starting to bear fruit somewhere in the 60th year of life. Each cone contains 30-150 seed nuts, which are readily eaten by both local living creatures and people. Cedar wood has a pleasant reddish color, dense structure, and is widely used in construction and furniture making.
Larch is the most frost-resistant of the taiga trees (can withstand temperatures below -70°C). Its soft needles fall off every autumn and grow anew in the spring. Wood is valuable for construction because of its density, resistance to moisture and decay. Often forms a single-component forest - larch. Almost never found in the dark coniferous taiga.
Juniper is a small shrub that grows everywhere in the taiga. It forms fruits in the form of cones containing sugars, acids, trace elements, as well as a significant amount of phytoncides. Widely used in folk medicine.