Taiga

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

The taiga (visit taiga at dictionary.com) is located in the subarctic region of the earth.

It is found to the south of the Arctic Circle in the northern hemisphere. The world map below shows the location of the taiga highlighted in green. The taiga is generally found in areas of North America, Europe, and Asia, with lots of mountains.

• What do you think the temperatures are like in the taiga?

Did you say the taiga has cold temperatures? Fantastic!

The temperature in the taiga is cold because it is located in the northern hemisphere, far above the equator. This means it does not get as much sunlight as other parts of the planet, making it a colder part of the earth.

The average temperature of the taiga is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. In the winter, temperatures are around 26 degrees Fahrenheit and can drop to –65 degrees Fahrenheit! The average summer temperature is 50 degrees Fahrenheit. For the most part, the taiga is cold all year round.

The taiga has cold winters that last much longer than its short, mild summers. The taiga gets most of its rainfall in the summer, but sometimes it snows in the winter. The average amount of precipitation the taiga receives varies from 12 to 33 inches per year.

The soil in the taiga does not have many nutrients. The soil is thin and nutrient-poor because of the cold temperatures.

Permafrost can be found in the taiga. Permafrost is a layer of soil that remains permanently frozen. Many areas in the taiga have permafrost, but some areas have bedrock just below the surface of the soil.

The soil has poor drainage because of the permafrost and layers of bedrock. This causes the ground in certain areas to become soggy and mossy.

Move on to the Got It? section to learn how to dress when you visit the taiga.