Biotic Features
PLANTS:
Many plants can be found in boreal forests. The most dominant species is coniferous trees, such as fir trees, aspens, and giant sequoias. Other species that coexist in boreal forests include polytrichum moss, lichen, ferns and many more. |
ANIMALS:
Different animals can be seen in boreal forests. These include caribou/moose/elk, lynx, black bear, coyote, timber wolf, porcupine, snow shoe hare and many more. |
Adaptations
Structural
Most leaves on plants have a dark green colour that helps them to absorb sunlight and heat easily in the cold climate. The waxy coating and small surface area of the needle leaves help to resist cold conditions and retain water in the plant. The wax allows water to soak into the tree, but does not let the water escape from the leaves. All of these adaptations above aid plants to photosynthesize photosynthesize in spring, which is cold and has minimal sunlight
Coniferous trees have a cone shape that allows them to shed snow easily. It also prevents snow from building up and breaking the tree branches.
Lynxes and wolves have thick and water repellent fur to protect them from the cold and the snow. Thus, they could hunt on the coldest days and capture their preys easily.
Most leaves on plants have a dark green colour that helps them to absorb sunlight and heat easily in the cold climate. The waxy coating and small surface area of the needle leaves help to resist cold conditions and retain water in the plant. The wax allows water to soak into the tree, but does not let the water escape from the leaves. All of these adaptations above aid plants to photosynthesize photosynthesize in spring, which is cold and has minimal sunlight
Coniferous trees have a cone shape that allows them to shed snow easily. It also prevents snow from building up and breaking the tree branches.
Lynxes and wolves have thick and water repellent fur to protect them from the cold and the snow. Thus, they could hunt on the coldest days and capture their preys easily.
Behavioural
Small mammals such as voles and ermine burrow in winter in order to live under the snow. Their burrows are underground, which is sheltered from the cold.
Many birds migrate to warmer areas, when the temperature drops. They do so due to the lack of structural adaptations needed to survive in winter. They usually return in spring to nest and feed during the brief boreal summer, then depart in fall for milder climes.
Small mammals such as voles and ermine burrow in winter in order to live under the snow. Their burrows are underground, which is sheltered from the cold.
Many birds migrate to warmer areas, when the temperature drops. They do so due to the lack of structural adaptations needed to survive in winter. They usually return in spring to nest and feed during the brief boreal summer, then depart in fall for milder climes.
Physiological
Black bears, brown bears, and marmots hibernate in winter. They sleep through the cold season and wake up in spring after accumulating enough fat in their bodies. Furthermore, they lower their bodies' metabolisms in order to minimize the consumption of the remaining fat.
Snow shoe hares, however, have a snow-white coat in winter and a brown coat in spring. In fact, their coats shift color according to the season in order to avoid their predators.
Black bears, brown bears, and marmots hibernate in winter. They sleep through the cold season and wake up in spring after accumulating enough fat in their bodies. Furthermore, they lower their bodies' metabolisms in order to minimize the consumption of the remaining fat.
Snow shoe hares, however, have a snow-white coat in winter and a brown coat in spring. In fact, their coats shift color according to the season in order to avoid their predators.