L2

Question 1

What exists in Athabasca, Canada?

Answer 1

Tar sands underneath Taiga forests

1. 7trillion barrels of oil
2. 19% of forest lost

Question 2

Describe the nutrient cycle in the Taiga.

Nutrients added, removed, transferred etc

Answer 2

Added through precipitation

Removed through leaching/run off

Returned by slow decay of pine needles

Transfer between stores is slow due to slow photosynthesis

Question 3

What type of animals are there and in what quantities?

Answer 3

Very few species
Mostly amphibian and reptile
Large mammals

Question 4

What is the size of the litter store and why?

Answer 4

Largest because pine needles don’t decompose quickly due to cold temperatures

Question 5

What is the size of the biomass store and why?

Answer 5

Smallest, not many plant species due to acidic soil, and not many animal species due to cold temperatures

Question 6

What is the size of the soil store and why?

Answer 6

Acidic pine needles, small plants and less decomposition

Question 7

What threats do human activity pose to the Taiga?

Answer 7

Tree removal for mining, HEP

No pine trees will result in no nutrients

Oil and gas pollution pollutes plant roots

Question 8

What has Russia done?

Answer 8

Exploited the Taiga via deforestation
No effort to replant
Oil and gas exploited by Russia
Lack of control from Canada