L1

Question 1

What is the name of the specialist plants in the Taiga/

Answer 1

Conifers - evergreen

Question 2

What is the climate like?

Answer 2

Subarctic climate
Long, very cold winter (-40 degrees C on average)

Short mild summers average around 16 degrees C

<500mm precipitation yearly

Question 3

What adaptations for the conifers have?

Answer 3

Needle shaped leaves - small surface area reduces evapotranspiration

Waxy coating reduces water loss

Dark green - lots of chlorophyll to maximise photosynthesis

Little sap so it can’t freeze

Flexible branches so they don’t snap under the weight of snow

Question 4

What attracts migrating birds?

Answer 4

Insects in the summer months
Animals who are present are migratory, few stay year-round due to the cold climate

300 in summer months, 30 species in winter

Question 5

What adaptations do animals living in the taiga have?

Answer 5

Thick fur insulation

Short tails and small ears to reduce heat loss

Hibernate a lot

White coat to help camouflage and with heat loss

Can eat acidic pine leaves