8.2

Question 1

In what ways are the animals adapted to the Taiga forest?

Answer 1

Larger mammals are mostly migratory
Many animals are well insulated
Some animals hibernate
Some have white costs to help camourflage

Question 2

In what ways are plants adapted to the Taiga?

Answer 2

Trees are :evergreen so they make best use of light
Needles instead of flat leaves - reducing water loss from strong, cold winds
Cone shaped - heavy snow slides off to not break branches

Question 3

How are taiga forests interdependent ecosystems?

Answer 3

Plants get nutrients from soil, cold climate causes plants to grow slowly. Plants provide nutrients to let animals eat them. Animals spread seeds through dung helping plants reproduce. Herbivore migrate to areas where plants can grow. Animals decompose into soil to add nutrients. Chopped down trees can lead to release of greenhouse gases

Question 4

Explain why the nutrient cycle is slower in the Taiga forest

Answer 4

Few nutrients are added through precipitation or weathering and lots of them are lost through run off or leaching. Most of nutrients are stored in dead organic material but lack of heat and sunlight means decomposition is slow. Meaning less nutrients are added to soil so less uptake by plants.

Question 5

Explain why Taiga forests have low levels of biodiversity?

Answer 5

Land was much colder 15000 years ago so animals have had little time to adapt
Simple structure means there are fewer habitats
Taiga forests aren’t very productive and growing season is short so theres not much food available
No reptiles or amphibians can survive the cold