BOREAL FOREST

The boreal forest is a large forested area that occurs below the tundra in the high northern latitudes of the world.  The area further north of the boreal forest is the land we know as tundra: it is so cold that plant growth is not widespread.  

The boreal forest is the coldest area where major vegetation will grow.    The season when days that are above freezing is very short.  Only very cold temperature-resistant trees grow there.  The most common trees that grow in this area of the boreal forest are pine, spruce, fir and larch trees.  The sub-arctic climate long, usually very cold winters, and short, cool to mild summers.  Under the trees grow small scrubby plants, like bearberry, crowberry and bilberry.  Club-mosses and lichen are common and grow well here too. 

The boreal forest is sometimes referred to as a “sub-polar” region. This forest can be found in North America: in Canada, Alaska and parts of the states near the Great Lakes and in northernmost New England.  It also stretches through the northern parts of Scandinavia, Europe and Asia. The “taiga” is what this forest is called in Russia.

BOREAL FOREST IN RUSSIA

In Russia, the large area of boreal forest is called the TAIGA.  This area has subarctic temperatures.  Here, near the Ural Mountains, the predominant trees are spruces, pines and larches.  Usually there are only about 108 days above freezing in this area. 

The vista of the Ural Mountains and taiga forest shown below is located in the largest national park in both Russia, in the part of Russia that is part of EUROPE.   Yugyd Va National Park is located in the Komia Republic.  This park is located in the European part of Russia, and includes part of the northern Ural Mountains.  More than half of this large park is covered with the boreal forest. 

The Ural Owl can be found in Northern ASIA and EUROPE.  They live primarily in woodlands and forests.  These medium to large size owls have light grey plumage streaked with white feathers.  Despite their almost cute appearance, these birds are ferocious hunters who are aggressive when protecting their territory.  They have been know to attack humans who come too close to them.  Ural owls prey on small mammals and some birds.  Unlike most other owls, the Ural Owl is not completely nocturnal and they sometimes choose to hunt during the day.  

The Ural Owl, copyright Map of the Month, 2016

BOREAL FOREST IN CANADA

The boreal forest in Canada covers almost 60% of the country’s land area.  See the darkest green band shown in this satellite photo: much of that is the boreal forest.

The pine trees here near the Alaskan Range of mountains are part of the taiga, or arboreal forest, south of the polar region.   Part of this forest can be seen above, in Denali National Park, in the state of ALASKA. 

BOREAL BUNNY

The Snowshoe Hare is found throughout the NORTH AMERICA‘s boreal forest.    This Hare is slightly larger than  a rabbit and they have longer ears  and feet. Their fur, which changes color (like the Arctic fox), allows them camouflage depending on season.  In the winter the Hare is snow white, and in summer they are brown.  Their large feet have fur-coated soles, and this allows them to walk easily on ice and snow.

The Snowshoe hare, copyright Map of the Month, 2016

Help your students learn more about the boreal forest, its animals, and more!

Our CartoCraze! Expanded Map Workshops are digital files that can be shared by everyone in your school.

SPECIAL:  A membership is FREE this year, all of 2016, as we celebrate our 25th anniversary— just order 500 maps or more, and your school will receive these 44 digital files that cover DESERTS, MOUNTAINS, RIVERS and ISLANDS.

For a FREE taste of one of our CartoCraze! files, see this free file about the SAHARA DESERT, CUBA, ands the MISSISSIPPI RIVER, HERE.