Program "I love Psychology 

Taiga forest. Plants of the taiga - from small to large. Fauna of the East Siberian taiga

It can be confidently called the “lungs of the Earth”, because the state of the air, the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide depend on them. Rich stocks of timber, mineral deposits are concentrated here, many of which are being discovered to this day.

Location in Russia

The taiga is spreading in a wide strip in our country. Coniferous forests occupy most of Siberia (Eastern, Western), the Urals, the Baikal region, the Far East and the Altai Mountains. The zone originates on the western border of Russia, it stretches to the coast of the Pacific Ocean - the Sea of ​​Japan and the Sea of ​​Okhotsk.

The coniferous forests of the taiga border on other climatic zones. In the north, they are adjacent to the tundra, in the west - with. In some cities of the country, there is an intersection of taiga with forest-steppe and mixed forests.

Location in Europe

The coniferous forests of the taiga cover not only Russia, but also some foreign countries. Among them are the countries of Canada. Throughout the world, taiga massifs occupy a vast territory and are considered the largest zone on the planet.

The extreme boundary of the biome on the south side is located on the island of Hokkaido (Japan). The northern side is bounded by Taimyr. This location explains the leading position of the taiga in terms of length among other natural zones.

Climate

A large biome is located in two climatic zones at once - temperate and subarctic. This explains the diversity of weather conditions in the taiga. The temperate climate ensures warm summers. The average temperature of the natural zone in the summer is 20 degrees above zero. The cold arctic air affects the sharp temperature changes and affects the taiga winters, the air here can be cooled to 45 degrees below zero. In addition, piercing winds are observed at all times of the year.

The coniferous forests of the taiga are characterized by high humidity due to their location in swampy areas and low evaporation. In summer, most of the precipitation falls in the form of light and heavy rains. In winter there is a lot of snow - the thickness of its layer is 50-80 centimeters, it does not melt for 6-7 months. Permafrost is observed in Siberia.

Peculiarities

The largest, longest and richest natural zone is the taiga. Coniferous forests occupy fifteen million square kilometers of the land area of ​​the Earth! The width of the zone in the European part is 800 kilometers, in Siberia - more than 2 thousand kilometers.

The formation of taiga forests began in the past era, before the onset of and However, the zone received a detailed analysis and characteristics only in 1898 thanks to P. N. Krylov, who defined the concept of "taiga" and formulated its main characteristics.

The biome is especially rich in water bodies. Famous Russian rivers originate here - Volga, Lena, Kama, Northern Dvina and others. They cross the taiga of the Yenisei and the Ob. In coniferous forests there are the largest Russian reservoirs - Bratskoye, Rybinsk, Kamskoye. In addition, there is a lot of groundwater in the taiga, which explains the predominance of swamps (especially in Northern Siberia and Canada). Due to the temperate climate and sufficient moisture, there is a rapid development of the plant world.

Taiga subzones

The natural zone is divided into three subzones, which differ in climatic features, flora and fauna.

  • Northern. Characterized by a cold climate. It has harsh winters and cool summers. Huge areas of land are occupied by swampy terrain. Forests in most cases are stunted, medium-sized spruces and pines are observed.
  • Average. Differs in moderation. The climate is temperate - warm summers, cold but not frosty winters. Many swamps of various types. High humidity. Trees of normal height, mainly blueberry spruce forests sprout.
  • South. The most diverse flora and fauna, coniferous forests are observed here. The taiga has an admixture of broad-leaved and small-leaved tree species. The climate is warm, characterized by hot summers, which last for almost four months. Reduced soreness.

Forest types

Depending on the vegetation, several types of taiga are distinguished. The main ones are light coniferous and dark coniferous forests. Along with trees, there are meadows that arose on the site of deforestation.

  • Light coniferous type. It is mainly distributed in Siberia. Also found in other areas (Urals, Canada). It is located in a sharply continental climate zone, characterized by abundant rainfall and moderate weather conditions. One of the most common types of trees is pine - a photophilous representative of the taiga. Such forests are spacious and bright. Larch is another common species. Forests are even lighter than pine forests. The crowns of trees are rare, so in such "thickets" a feeling of open area is created.
  • dark coniferous type- most common in Northern Europe and mountain ranges (Alps, Altai Mountains, Carpathians). Its territory is located in a temperate and mountainous climate, characterized by high humidity. Fir and spruce predominate here, juniper and dark coniferous pine are less common.

Vegetable world

Even at the beginning of the 19th century, no one divided the natural zones, and their differences and features were not known. Fortunately, today geography has been studied in more detail, and the necessary information is available to everyone. The coniferous forest of the taiga - trees, plants, shrubs ... What is the characteristic and interesting flora of this zone?

In the forests - weakly expressed or absent undergrowth, which is explained by insufficient amount of light, especially in dark coniferous thickets. There is a monotony of moss - as a rule, only a green species can be found here. Shrubs grow - currants, junipers, and shrubs - lingonberries, blueberries.

The type of forest depends on climatic conditions. The western side of the taiga is characterized by the dominance of European and Siberian spruce. Spruce-fir forests grow in mountainous regions. Clusters of larches stretch to the east. The Okhotsk coast is rich in a variety of tree species. In addition to coniferous representatives, the taiga is also fraught with deciduous trees. consist of aspen, alder, birch.

Animal world of the taiga

The fauna of the coniferous forests of the taiga is diverse and unique. A wide variety of insects live here. Nowhere is there such a number of fur-bearing animals, including ermine, sable, hare, weasel. Climatic conditions are favorable for sedentary animals, but unacceptable for cold-blooded creatures. Only a few species of amphibians and reptiles live in the taiga. Their low numbers are associated with severe winters. The rest of the inhabitants have adapted to the cold seasons. Some of them fall into hibernation or anabiosis, while their vital activity slows down.

What animals live in coniferous forests? The taiga, where there are so many shelters for animals and an abundance of food, is characterized by the presence of such predators as lynx, brown bear, wolf, fox. Ungulates live here - roe deer, bison, elk, deer. On the branches of trees and under them live rodents - beavers, squirrels, mice, chipmunks.

Birds

More than 300 species of birds nest in the forest thickets. Particular diversity is observed in the eastern taiga - capercaillie, hazel grouse, some varieties of owls and woodpeckers live here. Forests are distinguished by high humidity and numerous reservoirs, therefore they are especially widespread here. Some representatives of coniferous expanses have to migrate to the south in winter, where living conditions are more favorable. Among them are the Siberian thrush and the forest warbler.

man in taiga

Human activities do not always favorably affect the state of nature. Numerous fires caused by the negligence and thoughtlessness of people, deforestation and mining lead to a decrease in the number of forest wildlife.

Picking berries, mushrooms, nuts are typical activities popular with the local population for which the autumn taiga is known. Coniferous forests are the main supplier of timber resources. Here are the largest deposits of minerals (oil, gas, coal). Thanks to moist and fertile soil, agriculture is developed in the southern regions. Breeding of animals and hunting for wild animals is widespread.

From time to time I am visited by thoughts to leave the noisy city, to forget about the eternal rush and the bustle of the city. Go to the taiga under the shadow of the taiga giants and spend the rest of your life there, breathe clean air and be happy that there are still huge areas of terrain covered with tall trees on the planet.

What trees grow in the taiga zone

Coniferous trees predominate in most of this climatic zone, these are fir, spruce, pine, and many others. Despite the fact that most people associate the taiga only with coniferous forests, you can also see in it:

  • mountain ash;
  • alder and some other deciduous trees.

Taiga trees are rich in various forest gifts: hazelnut, pine nut, resin and some essential oils. In the past, pine needles have been used to treat scurvy and have saved many lives.


Amazing taiga tree

An amazing tree growing on the border of the tundra and taiga is the taiga dwarf. Some individual trees reach the age of two hundred and fifty years. These trees grow exclusively on stones and are small trees. The well-known drug turpentine is obtained from this tree. The content of essential oils in dwarf elfin is twice as high as in pine. Substances obtained from the taiga elfin are widely used in medicine. In general, a very interesting evergreen tree.


Take care of the trees

Taiga forests, consisting of millions of trees and spread over the vast territory of the Far East, Scandinavia and North America, supply oxygen to the entire planet. By creating a separate ecosystem for the residence of thousands of representatives of the animal world, they serve as a reliable shelter and home for them. Mankind mercilessly cuts down forests, destroys entire hectares of untouched forests. I won't be surprised if in a few decades the general condition of the taiga forests will deteriorate greatly. But let's hope for the best. I have been to the taiga and have always tried to preserve its original beauty, not to litter there, not to kindle a fire and not harm the trees in other ways, which I urge you to do as well.

Huge spaces, this is the largest forest in the world. The length of Siberian coniferous forests, heterogeneous in composition, is up to 9 thousand kilometers. The lost forest world, where there is never a person, is fraught with something mysterious, mysterious, unknown and dangerous in vast areas.

Scientists confidently call the coniferous forest of the northern hemisphere the "green lungs of the planet", it is on their condition and photosynthesis that the delicate balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the surrounding air depends. Here are the richest reserves of valuable timber, deposits of the most important minerals, turbulent rivers, promising for the production of cheap electricity, many fur animals, and the most important vegetable raw materials.


Taiga subzones

The taiga zone in Siberia is divided into three well-defined subzones, which differ significantly from each other in climatic conditions, location on the map of the country, the presence of permafrost, vegetation and wildlife.

The northern taiga belt is located between the tundra zone and the 65th parallel, south of the lower reaches of the Ob, Yenisei and Lena. This subzone has a severe climate with long cold winters and short cool summers. The territory has permafrost soil and, as a result, is heavily swamped, so the forest here is undersized and sparse. In sphagnum and lichen spruce forests, along with birch, marsh and tundra grasses and shrubs are found. The process of formation of typical taiga podzolic soils here is greatly complicated by waterlogging processes. The soils here are gley-podzolic, to the south alluvial low-humus, bog-podzolic.

The middle taiga belt is located much to the south in the middle reaches of the Ob and Lena rivers. The territory is characterized by moderate climate with frosty winters and warm summers. Various types of swamps and fairly high humidity are widespread here. Forests in this subzone with trees of normal height, dense stands and a predominance of spruce, such forests are often called black or typical taiga. In the south of a typical taiga, among conifers, broad-leaved trees are found. In a typical taiga, optimal natural conditions are created for the podzol formation process and podzolic soils are formed.

The southern taiga belt stretches across the southern regions of Siberia, Kuzbass, the Tomsk and Omsk regions, the south of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the Irkutsk Region, Tuva, and the north of Khakassia. Here the natural and climatic conditions are favorable for the growth of coniferous forests. The flora and fauna of the southern taiga is rich and varied. In addition to areas of black fir and spruce taiga, light larch forests and pine forests are common here. The areas of wetlands are sharply reduced, soil-forming soddy processes are intensifying.



Types of taiga forests

The light-coniferous type of taiga is widespread throughout Siberia, it includes dry pine forests and larch forests. Such a taiga grows in moderate weather conditions, or in areas of a sharply continental climate, with temperature and humidity fluctuations. In spacious and bright pine forests, spreading crowns of trees are located high above the ground and let a lot of sunlight into the undergrowth. In such a forest there are many berry bushes and rare herbs, an abundance of mushrooms and various game.

The larch forest is even lighter than the pine forest, openwork crowns with soft needles transmit light well, and the needles fall off in winter. Juicy green larch needles turn bright yellow by autumn, giving the impression of an open area and an unusual golden fairy tale. Resin, flowing down tree trunks and heating up in the sun, saturates the air with pleasant coniferous aromas.

The dark coniferous type of taiga, consisting of spruce forests, cedar forests and fir forests, the so-called "urmans" stretched in a continuous array in the expanses of Siberia. Such a taiga is typical for the northern regions of Siberia, high mountain ranges, elevated plateaus and valleys of Siberian rivers. Closing in crowns, such forests do not let sunlight into the undergrowth, they are always twilight, there are few grasses and shrubs, there are a lot of mosses and lichens on stones and trees. Due to the lack of sunlight in such a forest, it is always damp and damp.



Taiga climate

The Siberian taiga is located in the subarctic and temperate climatic zones. Therefore, depending on the geographical location, there are significant differences in the climate and weather conditions of the northern and southern taiga. The climate also differs along the meridional grid due to the prevailing western air transport. Climatic regularities in the Siberian taiga are violated due to the diversity of the relief and the intrusions of arctic cold air.

In the north of the taiga zone in the subarctic, there is a severe snowy winter and a short rather cool summer. Average July temperatures fluctuate between +13oC - +14oC, on hot days the air can warm up to +25oC - +27oC. The average January temperatures here are 18oC - 29oC, with cold arctic winds the absolute temperature can drop to -50oC. The duration of the frost-free period is 75-80 days. There is a lot of precipitation in the taiga, up to 450-500 mm / year, with little evaporation on permafrost soils, vast areas become swampy.

The taiga zone is characterized by a warmer temperate climate with average July temperatures of +18oC - +19oC and a frost-free period of 115-120 days. On hot clear days, the air in the intermountain valleys can warm up to + 35 ° C - + 38 ° C. The average January temperatures are -16oC, -18oC, during the invasion of cold northern winds, the air can cool down to -45oC, the snow cover is up to 90-100 cm.



The flora of the taiga

Siberian expanses appear as a mysterious and amazing realm of coniferous trees. The West Siberian taiga consists of dark coniferous Siberian fir and extensive cedar forests. The dense undergrowth here is formed by small-leaved and berry bushes of acacia-caragana, mountain ash, wild rose, bird cherry, raspberries and wild currants.

This gloomy forest produces an inhospitable and rather gloomy impression: all around there are fallen trunks of huge tree roots twisted by storms, pits under the roots, flooded with groundwater, bearded lichen fluttering in tattered shreds in the wind, on the ground a soft and damp coniferous pillow densely overgrown with moss. Rarely here in the eternal shade you can see nondescript flowering plants, there are a lot of lingonberries and blueberries, wintergreens, wild rosemary, mushrooms and ferns, sedges in the “sogres”.

Huge areas in the taiga of Western Siberia are occupied by sedge swamps, swampy forests, "sogry", peat bogs with rarely growing marsh pines. Lush green floodplain meadows are widely spread along the river valleys, interspersed with willow thickets, aspen forests and birch groves.

The pride and beauty, the long-liver of the taiga is the cedar or Siberian cedar pine, in the taiga regions it is often said that if the cedar taiga bears fruit, everyone is fed, both animals and birds, and for people pine nuts have become a wonderful delicacy. Its pleasantly smelling reddish wood lends itself well to processing, furniture and souvenirs are made from it.

Tall candle-shaped firs growing in solid arrays give the Siberian taiga gloom and mystery. Closing their crowns, they create twilight and mystery known for such a forest. Soft evergreen needles grow on fir branches, from which you can make delicious vitamin tea in the taiga. From fir spruce branches, any hunter will quickly build a good warm bedding for spending the night. Fir resin and oil have remarkable bactericidal properties, resin is good for treating wounds. Fir wood is little used in construction.

In Eastern Siberia, due to the elevation of the relief, the taiga is different. Siberian larch becomes the main forest-forming species here. It is included here in a large family of coniferous trees, firs, cedars, firs, but sometimes it forms purely deciduous forests. The undergrowth in these forests is similar to the West Siberian taiga forests. In the mountains, swampiness decreases, and pine-larch and pine forests grow on dry slopes. In the south of the taiga, a lot of Ledebour's rhododendron appears in the undergrowth, to the east of the Daurian rhododendron, a fragrant shrub with bright large pink or lilac flowers, which is often called by the people "maralnik" or "ledum rosemary".

Larch is the most frost-resistant tree in the taiga, able to withstand temperatures down to -70°C. Its soft openwork needles fall off in autumn and grow again in spring. Larch wood does not lend itself to moisture and decay, reddish, dense, is widely used in construction.



Animal world of the taiga

Taiga animals have adapted well to life in a harsh climate in the north and in more favorable conditions in the south. The taiga forest is full of life and sings to different bird voices. Reindeer periodically roam from the tundra to the taiga, returning with warming. Some birds fly south, others live here and nest constantly.

The brown bear has long been considered the master of the Siberian taiga; it is a large animal that hibernates in the winter, and during the warm period is active and dangerous for hunters, fishermen and geologists. Among fur animals, Siberian sable is famous far beyond the borders of the country. It was for the "soft junk" furs that the first detachments of the Cossacks went to Siberia.

Gray wolves, foxes, lynxes and wolverines live in the taiga. Often there are otters and hares, hedgehogs and minks, weasels and ermines, ferrets and martens, squirrels and chipmunks. In the south, a large habitat is occupied by Altai moles. A group of ungulates is well represented in the taiga, elk and Siberian roe deer, noble, spotted and reindeer, musk deer and wild marals live here.

The world of birds is diverse in the taiga, birds can be found everywhere. There are also very rare red-listed species here. Everywhere in the taiga forests there are capercaillie and black grouse, nutcrackers and rubythroats, red-headed jays and kuksha, Siberian thrushes and green songbirds, owls and woodpeckers, bluetails and Asian wild grouse little studied by biologists.

Agile lizards and snakes, toads and frogs bask on stones warmed by the summer sun, and in winter cold-blooded animals fall into anabiosis. There are many insects in the taiga, in addition to useful beetles and beautiful butterflies, in the swampy taiga there are many midges and midges, horseflies and mosquitoes.

man in taiga

A person does not always benefit the taiga with his activity, taiga forests suffer from fires that arise from the careless handling of fire by people. Large areas of forests are cut down for household needs, mining often disrupts natural ecosystems, reduces the number of animals. Taiga generously shares its gifts with a person, pine nuts, resin, furs, wood, berries and edible mushrooms. Large areas in the southern region of the taiga are plowed up and delight farmers with good harvests. Taiga, untouched by man, is rarely found today.

The taiga biome, also known as this fascinating ecological phenomenon, encircles the northern latitudes of the globe from North America to Eurasia. The taiga is a difficult place to live in, so plants and animals must be adapted to harsh climatic conditions, soil and terrain in order to survive. The soil of boreal forests is cold, waterlogged, and poorly suited for plant growth.

Surprisingly, there are a number of different plants that can withstand the long, harsh winters and short, fleeting summers of the taiga, and they range from large trees to tiny lichens. Taiga flora plays a role in this unique ecosystem.

Due to harsh weather and climate conditions, not many plants survive in the Taiga. The main threats to the flora are forestry, forest fires, insects and pesticides. The species composition of boreal forest trees consists of black spruce, white spruce, banks pine, American larch, paper birch, aspen, balsam poplar, etc. Below is an extended list of taiga plants, which includes trees, shrubs, herbs, berries, flowers and lichens, growing in boreal forests.

Flora of the taiga:

Balsam fir

Balsam fir is a coniferous tree from the pine family, common in the taiga of North America. Their relatively low height and downward-growing branches make balsam fir well adapted to heavy snowfalls. These trees are a favorite hiding place for.

Pseudotsuga Menzies

Pseudotsuga Menzies, or Douglas fir, or Pseudotsuga yew-leaved, is a species of coniferous trees growing in the western part of the North American continent. These evergreen trees are an incredibly valuable food source for animals. Pseudotsuga Menzies are tall thick-stemmed trees that can grow up to 100 m in height, with a trunk diameter of 4-5 m.

white fir

White fir, also known as comb fir, white European fir and European fir, is a tree from the pine family, common in southern and central Europe. White fir got its name because of the light bark. The height of the trees varies from 30 to 50 m (in rare cases up to 60 m), and the average trunk diameter is 1.5 m.

Spruce black

Black spruce, like menzies pseudo-hemlock, is a much narrower coniferous tree with hanging branches that give it a pyramid-like shape. Black spruce is a very durable tree and it has special features that are very well adapted to the difficult climatic conditions of the taiga.

Gray fir

Gray spruce, or Canadian spruce, or white spruce is an evergreen coniferous tree similar to black spruce, but with a much lighter trunk and leaves. White spruce is native to North America, where it grows from northern Alaska to Newfoundland.

Siberian spruce

Siberian spruce is a tall coniferous tree, with branches hanging down like a black spruce. Widespread in the Siberian regions of the taiga, it is one of the main sources of timber for the logging industry in Russia.

Banks Pine

Banks pine is a species of coniferous trees from the pine family, native to Canada and the northeastern regions of the United States. Often found on mountain slopes, well adapted to drought, severe frosts and undemanding to the soil.

Scotch pine

Scotch pine is a coniferous tree widely distributed in Europe and Asia, easily recognizable by its reddish-orange bark. The average height of the trees is 35 m and the trunk diameter is about 1 m. Scotch pine is regularly used in the timber industry.

Red cedar

Virginian juniper is a small coniferous tree from the cypress family, growing in various climatic zones of North America from Florida to the Canadian taiga. Outwardly, the virginian juniper looks more like a large bush, not living on a tree.

paper birch

Paper birch is a plant from the birch family, which got its name because of the bark, which, when peeled off, resembles paper. In the wild, it is found in the northern part of North America, and is also cultivated in Europe and Russia. These trees are used for a variety of purposes, from building boats to making birch syrup.

Gmelin larch

Gmelin larch is a species of coniferous tree, a member of the pine family. It is one of the most durable trees in the world, found in most of the coldest northern regions of the planet, and especially abundant in the Siberian taiga.

Tamarack

American larch is a coniferous tree native to the North American region of the taiga from the pine family. These trees love the cold and also prefer wet and swampy areas, which are available in many parts of the taiga. North American regions of the taiga. It is the most commonly used tree for making snowshoes.

Poplar white

White poplar is a fast-growing deciduous tree from the willow family. He loves moisture, which is more than enough in the taiga. The average tree height is 16-27 m (sometimes more), and the trunk thickness is up to 2 m.

Hemlock

Hemlock is an evergreen coniferous tree of the pine family, which thrives especially in the cool and humid regions of Asia and North America. The genus includes 10 species of trees, 4 of which grow in North America and 6 in Asia.

Elfin pine, or elfin cedar, is a low bushy tree from the pine family, which is found in the Far East, Eastern Siberia, northeast Mongolia, northeast China, North Korea and Japan. Elfin pine is capable of reaching 4-5 m in height, but this can take hundreds or thousands of years (Yes! These plants can live that long!).

Willow

Don't expect to see the classic willow in the taiga, but there are many species that are adapted to the conditions of the harsh climate. Unlike their tall counterparts, taiga willows are usually low, and sometimes there are instances of only a few centimeters in height.

Rose hip

Rosehip is a genus of shrubs from the Rosaceae family. Many species of wild rose are common in temperate and subtropical zones, but there are species that prefer more northern regions. These are low plants, about 2-3 m, which are well protected by thorns from animal encroachments on beautiful flowers.

Calmia angustifolia

Calmia angustifolia is an evergreen shrub plant common in the taiga. The height of the plant varies from 15 cm to 1.5 m. Calmia angustifolia blooms in summer, the flowers are crimson-pink, and the leaves are green throughout the year.

Alder green

The green alder is a shrub tree from the birch family. Despite its name, the leaves and branches of the plant can have a reddish hue. Green alder blooms in the warm season. Widely distributed in the taiga zone of North America and Eurasia, loves regions with high humidity.

Ivan-tea narrow-leaved

This small herbaceous plant loves taiga regions that have a heavy top canopy, and grows among forest clearings in dark, damp places.

Cranberry

The taiga is replete with swamps and wetlands, which attracts plants such as cranberries that thrive in similar conditions.

Cowberry

Lingonberries are an integral part of the diet of many animals. It is an exceptionally hardy evergreen plant, which makes lingonberries a typical representative of the taiga flora.

wild rosemary

Ledum is a shrubby plant with relatively small white flowers and indistinct leaves. Often found around wetlands.

Voskovnitsa common

Another kind of undersized shrub that loves the humid environment of the taiga, and has a number of amazing adaptations - such as long creeping roots, allowing you to live in areas not suitable for other flora.

Cotton grass

Cotton grass is a perennial flowering plant that prefers wetlands. Distributed in the northern regions of North America, Europe, Russia and Asia.

Lichens

Trees plus moisture equals thriving lichens, and lots of lichens means lots of happy animals! As in other ecosystems, lichens play an important role in the taiga, providing valuable nutrients for animals living in the most severe climatic conditions.

Sphagnum

Sphagnum, also known as peat moss, is a genus of mosses that is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere around swamps and wetlands in the taiga. Peat moss is a very hardy plant that promotes waterlogging of lands.

Boreal taiga forests represent the largest ecosystem in northern Eurasia, North America and Scandinavia. Taiga plants are represented mainly by conifers, mosses, lichens and small shrubs, but the taiga is different. There are several types of boreal taiga forest, which are dominated by certain plants. Taiga forests are divided into light coniferous taiga, dominated by pine and larch, and dark coniferous taiga, dominated by spruce, Siberian cedar, and fir. The soil of the taiga is soddy-podzolic and acidic.

Let's take a look at the main plants of the taiga, which in some way can be useful to a traveler, a hermit or a hunter-fisherman.

First, let's see the habitat of these plants:

We see that coniferous forests are spread over almost the entire north of the land. On my own behalf, I want to add that the mountain ranges of the European Alps, the Carpathians, the Rocky Mountains of North America are still covered with taiga, which is not shown in the diagram.

Coniferous trees of taiga forests

Siberian spruce

The most important representative of the taiga. The basis of the dark coniferous taiga, which has become its symbol. Most often, spruce grows in mixed forests, but is often the main forest former. Spruce wood is used in logging, it is suitable for construction, however, slightly worse than pine wood. A spruce cone appears at the age of 15 to 50 years, depending on the place of growth. The interval between harvest is 3-5 years. Pine needles, cones are rich in vitamin C and other useful substances, they also contain a lot of essential oils. The needles secrete phytoncides that play an antibacterial role.

Scotch pine

Pine forest

Scotch pine, along with spruce, is widespread in Russia. The basis of the light coniferous taiga. Pine wood is widely used in construction; due to the high resin content, it is one of the best natural building materials in the taiga zone. The resin has a very pleasant smell, and is used to drive out tar, turpentine, and rosin. In the past, resins were widely used in shipbuilding and other construction applications where the preservative properties of pine are required. Pine needles contain vitamin C and other beneficial substances.

Fir

I call fir the most affectionate tree of the dark coniferous taiga due to the fact that its needles are very soft and do not prick at all. Fir paws are good for bedding if you spend the night in the forest without a tent and a foam rug. I also prefer to drink tea with brewed needles. The tea turns out to be fragrant, although vitamin-free, since vitamins are destroyed when heated. Fir wood is little used, it is poorly suited for construction.

Fir is more of a medicinal tree than a building material. Fir resin can cover up wounds: it has an antiseptic effect and promotes their rapid healing. Fir oil is widely used in cosmetics.

Siberian cedar

I already have an article about the Siberian cedar. Let me just say that this is the most noble tree of the dark coniferous taiga. Pine nuts are highly valued because of the rich composition of nutrients. The presence of cedar trees in the taiga indicates the presence of furs in it, which is another important factor. Cedar wood is used in construction and carpentry. It has a reddish tint and a pleasant smell. The wood is less resinous than pine wood. Cedar lives up to 800 years. The growing season is 40-45 days a year. Cones ripen within 14-15 months. Each cone contains from 30 to 150 nuts. Cedar begins to bear fruit on average after 60 years, sometimes later.

Larch forest, Yakutia

Larch is the hardiest tree in the taiga zone. It grows in mixed forests, but most often, due to its resistance to frost, larch forms a mono-forest - larch. Larch withstands frosts of -70°C and even more. The needles are annual, not at all prickly, soft. Larch loves light areas of the terrain, so it is very difficult to meet it in dark coniferous forests. As a rule, these will be single trees or monolarch forests. Larch wood is very dense due to the short growing season. She has many rings. A thin tree can be very old. Very well suited for construction, it is a desirable material for the manufacture of the first crowns of taiga winter quarters. Wood is not afraid of moisture and rots very slowly. Contains a lot of resin.

Deciduous taiga trees and shrubs

The most popular representative of deciduous trees in the taiga forest. Distributed everywhere. Present in almost all mixed forests of northern latitude. Almost all parts of this tree are widely used. Wood is used for construction, crafts, carpentry. Tar is extracted from the bark, various items are made, it burns well. In the spring, birch sap is extracted from living birch, rich in vitamins and sugars. The buds and leaves are used in medicine.

Another representative of hardwood in the taiga. Aspen is a relative of poplar, their bark can even be confused. Used for landscaping settlements as a fast-growing tree. The bark is used for tanning leather. It is used to obtain yellow and green paint. Bees collect pollen from aspen flowers in April, and glue from blooming buds, which is processed into propolis. It goes to the construction of houses, is used as a roofing material (in Russian wooden architecture, domes of churches were covered with aspen planks), in the production of plywood, cellulose, matches, containers and other things. Young shoots are winter food for moose, deer, hares and other mammals. It is a medicinal plant. Aspen has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, choleretic and anthelmintic effects. The combination of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in aspen bark makes it promising in the complex treatment of tuberculosis, smallpox, malaria, syphilis, dysentery, pneumonia, cough of various origins, rheumatism and inflammation of the bladder mucosa. An aqueous extract of aspen bark is used to treat opisthorchiasis.

From the Birch family. In the north it is a small shrub, in the south - a tree about 6 m in height. Distributed in the taiga zone, less common in birch and aspen. Grows in wet soils. The bark and leaves provide dye for animal skins. Practically not used in everyday life. It serves as food for moose and serves as a refuge for game animals.

In the taiga forest - a rather rare visitor, grows mainly in the south, in the central part of Russia, in some places in Western Siberia and in the Amur taiga. Wood is widely used in carpentry and joinery, it lends itself well to processing due to its softness. Medicines are produced from some parts of the linden, and it is also an excellent honey plant. From the underbark of a tree (bast) they make washcloths, bast shoes, mats.

Widely distributed throughout Europe, Asia and North America. Grows in the taiga everywhere. The use of rowan is small. Berries are eaten, mountain ash is a honey plant, joinery is made from wood. Berries are used in folk medicine as antiscorbutic, hemostatic, diaphoretic, diuretic, choleretic, laxative and as a remedy for headaches. Fresh rowan fruits have a bitter taste, but the first frosts lead to the destruction of the bitter sorbic acid glycoside - and the bitterness disappears. The fruits of the most famous variety of mountain ash (nevezhinsky), containing up to 9% sugar, have a sweet taste even before frost.

A small shrub that grows throughout the taiga. Also grows in the mountains of Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan. The fruits are cone berries, contain sugars, organic acids and microelements. Juniper is widely used in folk medicine due to the high content of phytoncides. Used in the treatment of various diseases such as tuberculosis, kidney disease, bronchitis, etc.

It grows in relatively mountainous regions, on the border of taiga and tundra. It grows on stones, very slowly, lives up to 250 years. The resin of pine dwarf is rich in various substances. Turpentine is obtained from the resin, which is an antiseptic, diuretic, causing flushing of the skin, and an anthelmintic. Used to treat the kidneys and bladder. Nuts are rich in useful substances and are in no way inferior to their older brother - Siberian cedar. Previously, needles were used as an antiscorbutic agent, it also contains carotene, more than carrots.