Knowra Boreal forest Boreal forest The boreal forest is a northern biome dominated by cold-adapted trees, especially conifers. It forms a broad, mostly circumpolar belt across North America and Eurasia.
Taiga : A vast northern forest region dominated by conifers and characterized by long, cold winters. Taiga is often used for the boreal forest, especially its Eurasian and northern landscapes.
Boreal forest carbon cycle : The movement and storage of carbon among boreal vegetation, soils, atmosphere, and waters. Boreal soils and peatlands store large carbon stocks, while fires and warming alter their balance.
Arctic amplification : The phenomenon in which the Arctic warms faster than the global average. Rapid northern warming shifts boreal conditions and pushes the forest–tundra boundary poleward.
Temperate forest : A forest biome of temperate regions with moderate temperatures and distinct seasons. Temperate forests generally experience milder winters and support a different mix of tree species.
Permafrost : Ground that remains at or below 0°C for at least two consecutive years. Frozen subsoil restricts drainage and root growth in parts of the boreal zone.
Logging : The felling and removal of trees for timber or other products. Commercial forestry transforms extensive boreal landscapes and affects habitat and carbon storage.
Treeline : The geographic or elevational boundary beyond which trees cannot grow. Warming can move the boreal forest’s northern and high-elevation limits.
Tundra : A cold biome where low temperatures and short growing seasons prevent the development of tall trees. Tundra lies beyond the boreal forest’s northern treeline, where trees become scarce or absent.
Wildfire : An uncontrolled fire that burns vegetation and other combustible material in a natural area. Fire renews many boreal stands and determines which trees recolonize burned ground.
Oil sands : A mixture of sand, clay, water, and bitumen that can be processed into petroleum. Extraction in Canada’s boreal region converts forest and wetland habitat and fragments landscapes.
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